Association between Bone Mineral Density and Fat Mass Independent of Lean Mass and Physical Activity in Women Aged 75 or Older.

(1) Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are frequent pathologies among the geriatric population. The interlink between these two diseases is supported by their common pathophysiology. The aim is to explore the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition in women aged 75 or older. (2) From January 2016 to December 2019, women aged 75 or older of Caucasian ethnicity, who were addressed to perform a biphoton absorptiometry (DXA), were included in this observational study. Femoral neck T-score, lean mass, fat mass, and physical performances were measured. (3) The mean age of 101 patients included was 84.8 (±4.9) years old. Osteoporosis was present in 72% of patients. According to EWGSOP criteria, 37% of patients were sarcopenic. Osteosarcopenia was present in 34% of patients. The femoral neck T-score was significantly associated with fat mass (ß = 0.02, 95% CI (0.01; 0.03), p < 0.05) in multivariable analysis. Osteosarcopenic patients had significantly lower fat mass (16.2 kg (±6.8) vs. 23.1 kg (±10.8), p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (20.7 kg/m2 (±2.8) vs. 26.7 kg/m2 (±5.6), p < 0.001). (4) In postmenopausal women, fat mass is estimated to provide hormonal protection. While osteosarcopenia is described as a lipotoxic disease, fat mass and BMI would appear to protect against the risk of osteosarcopenia. This raises questions about the relevance of BMI and DXA.

Relationship between body composition and bone mineral density, related to physical activity, in elderly women.

Changes in body composition, including a decrease in muscle and bone mass, accompany aging. Analyse the influence of lean mass on bone mineral density, related to physical activity, in elderly women. 37 women were included in this study via an osteoporosis consultation. Body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were performed using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry methodology (DXA). The BMD was measured at the femoral neck. Each participant had a physical activity test to respond and had to perform handgrip, a four meter walk and one leg balance. Simple regression analyze showed a positive association between lean masse et BMD; after multiple linear regression analysis, we found a positive association between BMD, lean mass, and one leg balance; lean masse and one leg balance were two independent variable. Bone Mineral density was signicantly associated to lean mass and one leg balance.

[Six-months outcomes after admission in acute geriatric care unit secondary to a fall]. / Devenir à 6 mois après une hospitalisation en court séjour gériatrique à la suite d'une chute.

UNLABELLED: Fall in elderly subject is a main event by its medical and social consequences, but few studies were dedicated to the prognosis from hospitalization in geriatric acute care unit. AIM: Describe the outcome of elderly subjects hospitalized after a fall in geriatric acute care unit. METHODS: Longitudinal study of 6 months follow-up, 100 patients of 75 and more years old hospitalized after a fall in acute care geriatric unit. RESULTS: On a total of 128 patients hospitalized for fall, 100 agreed to participate in the study, 3 died during the hospitalization, so 97 subjects were able to be followed. During 6 months after the hospitalization, 14 patients died (14.9%), 51 (58%) have fallen again (58%) and 11 (22%) of them suffer from severe injuries. Thirty seven (39.7%) were rehospitalized and 10 of them related to fall. Among the patients coming from their home, 25 had been institutionalized. The main risk factor which have been identified to be associated with a new fall during the follow-up was a known dementia at the entry. CONCLUSION: The medical and social prognosis of an elderly subject hospitalized in an acute care unit is severe. The main comorbidity which influences the medical and social outcome is a known dementia, in addition to a history of previous fall.

[Nutrition and osteoporosis in elderly]. / Nutrition et ostéoporose chez le sujet âgé

Osteoporosis concerns 50% of women over 80 years. Prevalence of energizing and protein malnutrition is high as for institutional elderly people as for community dwelling elderly people. Malnutrition, physical inactivity and many etiological factors lead to tissular losses especially on protein compartment, named sarcopenia. Among the common etiological factors, some cytokines have an effect on proteolysis and bone restructuring, interfering with osteoclast metabolism. Inflammation or stress, mechanisms which product cytokines, are responsible for unfavourable bone restructuring and for a loss of protein mass, deteriorating the muscular functional prognostic. We researched articles on Medline® between 1980 and 2010 about relations between protein compartment, malnutrition and bone density. Several studies in literature suggest that increase in protein intake in daily caloric needs could have a positive effect on bone mineral density and functional performances (in primary prevention as in secondary prevention). So, primary and secondary preventive measures must comprise an increase in protein intake and a sufficient physical activity.