Evaluation of prevalence and risk factors of osteosarcopenia among postmenopausal women

Evaluation of prevalence and risk factors of osteosarcopenia among postmenopausal women Aim: To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of osteosarcopenia (OSP) among postmenopausal women. Material-method: Between April 2018-September 2018 a total of 710 postmenopausal women attended to the osteoporosis outpatient clinic was evaluated in terms of eligibility. Among them 150 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included. Patients' demographic data, FRAX fracture risk and OSP risk factors were questioned. Body composition and bone mineral density measured by DXA, handgrip strength (HGS) (Jamar), and physical performance test results were recorded. Sarcopenia (SP) was diagnosed in accordance with the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) criteria, whereas osteopenia/osteoporosis (OP) was diagnosed according to WHO criteria. Results: Among the patients, 68 % (n=102) and 60 % (n=90) were found to be sarcopenic and osteopenic, respectively. Patients who did not have SP/OP (n=10) were not included in further analysis and finally 140 patients were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 64,14(8,9) and BMI 30,02(5,1). FRAX major osteoporotic fracture risk was calculated as 8,94(7,1). Lumbar T score was -2,19(1,12) and skeletal muscle index (SMI) was 4,98(0,7). The prevalence of OSP was 64,2% (n=90). Among the risk factors of OSP; insufficient protein intake, insufficient Ca intake and low Physical activity level were at a high rate. When further analysis was done according to the presence of OSP, SP-only and OP-only; OSP group revealed older age and lower BMI, SMI, HGS and physical performance test results. The HGS was found to be a determinant of OSP and each 1-unit decrease in HGS increased the OSP risk of 1,162 times. Conclusion: The prevalence of OSP was found to be high in postmenopausal women. According to the results, it is recommended to increase the awareness of OSP while managing osteoporotic patients, to use handgrip strength as a simple screening method, and to consider sarcopenia treatment (exercise, nutritional treatment, pharmacological treatment, etc) as an important component of osteoporosis prevention and treatment. Keywords: Handgrip strength, osteopenia, osteosarcopenia, postmenopausal osteoporosis, sarcopenia