Diagnostic Value of Mid-Thigh and Mid-Calf Bone, Muscle, and Fat Mass in Osteosarcopenia: A Pilot Study

AbstractOsteosarcopenia is defined as the concomitant occurrence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Current lack of consensus on sarcopenia definitions, combined with the low sensitivity and  specificity of screening methodologies, has resulted in varying prevalences of sarcopenia, and consequently osteosarcopenia diagnosis. Previous research indicates that mid-thigh is a potential surrogate region for the assessment of bone, muscle, and fat mass in a single, efficient and low-radiati on dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. We hypothesized that muscle and bone mass measurements in the mid-thigh region can be used to evaluate bone and muscle health and function. A retrospective study was conducted on community-dwelling older subjects (>  65 y.o.,n = 260) who were at risk of falls and fractures. Mid-thigh and mid-calf bone, lean muscle, and fat masses, as well as their association with muscle function, falls, and fractures were compared against conventional measures (hip/spine bone, appendicular lean, and gynoid/android fat masses). Mid-t high bone, lean, and fat masses showed strong correlation with conventional measures. Mid-thigh lean mass showed similar associations with grip strength, gait speed, and timed up and go (TUG) test as appendicular lean mass. Appendicular, mid-thigh and mid-calf lean masses corrected for body mass ind ex (BMI) showed stronger associations than when corrected for height2. None of the indices were associated with fractures; but fat mass w...
Source: Calcified Tissue International - Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research