Clinical Implications of Sarcopenia on Decreased Bone Density in Men With COPD.

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are systemic features of COPD. The present study investigated the association between sarcopenia and osteopenia/osteoporosis and the factors associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) in men with COPD.

METHODS

Data from 777 men with COPD who underwent both pulmonary function test and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were extracted from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey database between 2008 and 2011. Sarcopenia was assessed with the appendicular skeletal mass index (ASMI) and osteopenia/osteoporosis with the T-score.

RESULTS

As the severity of airflow limitation increased, the prevalence of sarcopenia increased (P < .001). Additionally, as the degree of sarcopenia became severe, the prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis increased (P < .001), and a significant positive correlation was noted between appendicular skeletal muscle mass and BMD (ASMI/T-score: r = 0.408; P < .001). Sarcopenia was independently associated with an increased risk of low BMD in men with COPD (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.53-3.46; P < .001). Old age and low fat mass were significantly associated with low BMD in both sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic participants. High serum hemoglobin and insulin levels were associated with a reduced risk of low BMD only in the sarcopenic participants, whereas exercise and dietary intake were associated with a reduced risk only in the non-sarcopenic participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Sarcopenia is closely correlated with osteopenia/osteoporosis in men with COPD. Moreover, different factors are associated with low BMD according to the presence/absence of sarcopenia in that population.