Age related differences in osteosarcopenia among postmenopausal women: a cross sectional study

Introduction.Population aging is associated with an increasing prevalence of geriatric syndromes, including nutrition-related disorders. Osteosarcopenia, a syndrome characterized by the concurrent deterioration of bone and muscle mass and quality, is influenced by multiple factors, among which nutritional impairment plays a key role. The growing prevalence of osteosarcopenia across different age groups highlights the importance of identifying age-related risk factors and developing preventive strategies.Aim—to compare postmenopausal women of different age groups with previously diagnosed osteoporosis or osteopenia in order to identify and clarify age-related risk factors associated with osteosarcopenia and nutritional status.Materials and methods.This cross-sectional study included postmenopausal women with reduced bone mineral density (osteoporosis or osteopenia) who were referred for treatment to the National Medical Research Center for Rehabilitation and Balneology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation between 2022 and 2023. All participants underwent evaluation by an endocrinologist-nutritionist. Fracture risk was assessed using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX), while nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002). Bone mineral density was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis.Results.Increasing age was associated with a significant decline in height (p <0.001), nutritional status assessed by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) (p=0.002), serum albumin levels (p<0.001), bioelectrical impedance phase angle (p <0.001), skeletal muscle mass, and skeletal muscle mass index (p <0.001). In addition, bone mineral density of the femoral neck (p <0.001) and total proximal femur (p=0.001) decreased with age. Correlation analysis confirmed significant negative associations between age and skeletal muscle mass index (ρ=−0.229; p=0.006), femoral neck bone mineral density (ρ=−0.355; p <0.001), and total proximal femur bone mineral density (ρ=−0.328; p <0.001).Conclusions.Age in postmenopausal women with osteopenia and osteoporosis is associated with reduced muscle mass, impaired nutritional status, and lower femoral bone mineral density. These findings highlight the close relationship between age-related changes in bone and muscle tissues and support the need for comprehensive assessment of osteosarcopenia in older patients.