Influence of the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index on the bone mineral density of postmenopausal women

Geise Ferreira da Cruz,Jose Luiz Marques-Rocha,Ben-Hur Albergaria,Valdete Regina Guandalini,Tatiana Mion Lunz,Mariana Braga Costa,Camila Vilarinho Vidigal,Tatielle Rocha de Jesus

doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04748-x

Geise Ferreira da Cruz, Jose Luiz Marques-Rocha + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04748-x

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Abstract

BackgroundThe appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) is an important risk indicator for osteoporosis because of the anatomical proximity and metabolic connection between muscle and bone mass. The present study investigated the relationship between ASMI and the bone mineral density (BMD) categories of postmenopausal women.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample, sociodemographic, lifestyle, menopause time, anthropometric, and physical activity variables were collected. ASMI and BMD were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Participants were grouped according to BMD values into normal density, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied to verify the influence of ASMI on BMD. Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software, version 22. The significance level for all tests was set at 5%.ResultsOf the 114 women analyzed, most were between 60 and 69.9 years of age (62.3%), on menopause for ≤19.0 (51.8%), self-declared brown race/color (49.1%), had < 4 years of education (41.2%), never smoked (69.0%) or drank alcohol (62.8%). Of these, 52.6% were classified as sufficiently active and 52.2% had regular sun exposure. Women with osteoporosis were older (p = 0.035), on menopause for a longer time (p = 0.011), underweight (p = 0.004), had adequate waist circumference (p = 0.017), and low ASMI values (p = 0.002). There was an association between the 1st tertile of ASMI and osteoporosis. However, after adjustments for age, race/color, and body mass index, the strength of association between BMD and ASMI was not maintained.ConclusionsASMI was not associated with the BMD of the postmenopausal women evaluated. Total body and muscle mass, in addition to bone mass, should be monitored during menopause treatment. Longitudinal studies must be conducted to elucidate the mechanisms and gaps in this relationship.

Highlights

The appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) is an important risk indicator for osteoporosis because of the anatomical proximity and metabolic connection between muscle and bone mass
Baumgartner et al [7] proposed the use of appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) adjusted by height squared, called the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), as an indicator of low muscle mass [7, 8]
Starting from the premise that aging, associated with post-menopause, affects Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) negatively and potentializes the reduction of bone mass, in the present study we investigated the relationship between ASMI and the bone mineral density (BMD) categories of postmenopausal women

Summary

Introduction

The appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) is an important risk indicator for osteoporosis because of the anatomical proximity and metabolic connection between muscle and bone mass. Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) performs mechanical, structural, and metabolic functions in the human body [1]. Muscle mass is constantly changing from birth until it reaches its maximum peak at around 30 years of age. The musculoskeletal system progressively declines [3, 4], with consequent reduction in functional capacity and possible development of diseases such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia [3, 5]. The term sarcopenia was first used in 1989 by Irwin Rosenberg to refer to age-related loss of muscle mass and strength [6]. ASMI has been used as one of the main parameters to assess body muscle mass [3, 9]

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