Sarcopenia and Hip-Structure Analysis Variables in Korean Elderly Population

Abstract

The purpose of this study is comparing the hip-structure analysis (HSA) variables with the skeletal muscle index (SMI) in elderly patients with sarcopenia using nationwide representative data on the Republic of Korea (ROK). The survey data were collected from household interviews and direct standardized physical examinations conducted in specially equipped mobile examination centers. The data were collected in 2008 from 9744 participants. Patients under 65 years of age who were without data on the skeletal-muscle-mass and HSA variables were excluded. After these exclusions, a total of 744 participants (293 men and 451 women) were ultimately analyzed. The HSA measurements of the hip-bone geometry were analyzed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The appendicular SMI is defined as the sum of the arm and leg SMIs. Sarcopenia is defined according to the criteria for the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia as SMIs of less than 5.4 kg/m(2) and 7.0 kg/m(2) for women and men, respectively. In the entire population, SMI was found to be positively correlated to HSA variables. After adjusting for age, body mass index, and energy intake in both the women and men groups, a statistically significant difference became evident in all variables between the SMI and the HSA. The present study suggests that skeletal-muscle loss negatively affects hip-bone-strength indices in elderly sarcopenia patients. Implementing strategies to increase SMI in the elderly population may be useful for reducing the vulnerability to hip fracture.