Related Factors and Clinical Outcomes of Osteosarcopenia: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia are common geriatric diseases among older adults and harm activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL). Osteosarcopenia is a unique syndrome that is a concomitant of both osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia. This review aimed to summarize the related factors and clinical outcomes of osteosarcopenia to facilitate understanding, evaluation, prevention, treatment, and further research on osteosarcopenia. We searched the literature to include meta-analyses, reviews, and clinical trials. The prevalence of osteosarcopenia among community-dwelling older adults is significantly higher in female (up to 64.3%) compared to male (8-11%). Osteosarcopenia is a risk factor for death, fractures, and falls based on longitudinal studies. However, the associations between osteosarcopenia and many other factors have been derived based on cross-sectional studies, so the causal relationship is not clear. Few studies of osteosarcopenia in hospitals have been conducted. Osteosarcopenia is a new concept and has not yet been fully researched its relationship to clinical outcomes. Longitudinal studies and high-quality interventional studies are warranted in the future.

Keywords: osteoporosis; osteosarcopenia; sarcopenia.

Figure 1

Osteosarcopenia and related factors. Lines indicate cross-sectional associations and arrows indicate longitudinal associations.

Figure 2

Gaps between logic and evidence as predictors of fractures and falls in osteosarcopenia. Logic dictates that osteosarcopenia, which is a combination of sarcopenia and osteoporosis, may have a synergistic effect on fractures and falls. On the other hand, evidence from previous studies shows that osteosarcopenia had only a small or no effect on fractures and falls. (A) Risk of fracture, (B) Risk of falling.