The relationship between sarcopenia-related measurements and osteoporosis: The SARCOP study

Rehabilitation and orthopedic management of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

Osteoporosis represents a public health problem that can be prevented and treated early through health education. Over time, screening techniques, diagnosis and treatments even conservative and surgical, have improved. Through this publication we want to highlight the importance of the medical and orthopedic management of these fractures, describing the benefit of diet and physical exercise as the protagonists of conservative treatment but above all its indications and contraindications, emphasizing the limitations of exercise in a vertebral osteoporotic fracture. The different orthoses prescriptions are also highlighted.

Diagnosing (severe) Osteoporosis by Hologic vs. Lunar Measurements: A Single-Center Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION

Although different dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanners provide different bone mineral density (BMD) values, there is not a gold standard DXA scanner. T-score is used to facilitate the interpretation of BMD, and osteoporosis (OP) is diagnosed based on T-scores. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the BMD and T-score differences between Lunar Prodigy and Hologic Horizon DXA scanners.

METHODOLOGY

Data were collected for patients with previous BMD measurement on Lunar Prodigy and Hologic Horizon DXA scanners within one year in the same medical center.

RESULTS

In a total of 55 patients, BMD values of femoral neck/total, and lumbar vertebrae were all lower at Hologic than Lunar (all p < 0.01). The mean T-score difference at the lumbar spine was 0.74 ± 0.42 (p < 0.001). Of the 49 patients diagnosed as OP (T-score ≤-2.5) with the Hologic, the diagnoses were changed for 25 individuals (51.0 %) with Lunar (p < 0.001). Herewith, although the diagnoses of OP did not change by the repeat technique in other 24 patients (49 %), 13 of them (26.5 %) were categorized as having "high fracture risk" instead of "very high fracture risk" group (i.e., T-score <-3.0). We observed moderate-to-good reliabilities (with an intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] of 0.633-0.878 and 0.733-0.842 for BMD and T-scores, respectively) between measurements with the Lunar and Hologic scanners. Except for one measurement in L3, L4, L1-4 vertebrae, the Bland-Altman plot did not reveal any consistent bias between the measurements of the Lunar and Hologic scanners.

CONCLUSIONS

The consistency between different DXA scanners (especially for Hologic vs. Lunar) is important for proper management, especially in patients with low T-scores and OP.

Integrating transcriptomic and proteomic data for a comprehensive molecular perspective on the association between sarcopenia and osteoporosis

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are common age-related conditions characterized by the progressive loss of bone density and muscle mass, respectively. Their co-occurrence, often referred to as osteosarcopenia, presents significant challenges in elderly care due to increased fragility and functional impairment. Existing studies have identified shared pathological mechanisms between these conditions, including inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic dysregulation, but a comprehensive understanding of their molecular interplay remains incomplete.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to deepen our understanding of the molecular interactions between sarcopenia and osteoporosis through an integrated omics approach, revealing potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

METHODS

Employing a combination of proteomics and transcriptomics analyses, this study analyzed bone and muscle tissue samples from patients diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteosarcopenia. Techniques included high-throughput sequencing and label-free proteomics, supported by advanced bioinformatics tools for data analysis and functional annotation of genes and proteins.

RESULTS

The study found marked differences in gene and protein expressions between osteoporosis and osteosarcopenia tissues. Specifically, genes like PDIA5, TUBB1, and CYFIP2 in bone, along with MYH7 and NCAM1 in muscle, exhibited differential expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Pathway analyses revealed the significance of oxidative-reduction balance, cellular metabolism, and immune response in the progression of these conditions. Importantly, the study pinpointed osteoclast differentiation and NF-kappa B signaling pathways as critical in the molecular dynamics of osteosarcopenia, suggesting potential targets for therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study utilized transcriptomics and proteomics to identify key genes and proteins impacting sarcopenia and osteoporosis, employing advanced network tools to delineate interaction networks and crucial signaling pathways. It highlighted genes like PDIA5 and TUBB1, consistently expressed in both analyses, involved in pathways such as osteoclast differentiation and cytokine interactions. These insights enhance understanding of the molecular interplay in bone and muscle degeneration with aging, suggesting directions for future research into therapeutic interventions and prevention strategies for age-related degenerative diseases.

The Relationship Among Probable SARCopenia, Osteoporosis and SuprasPinatus Tendon Tears in Postmenopausal Women: The SARCOSP Study

We aimed to investigate the relationship among probable sarcopenia, osteoporosis (OP) and supraspinatus tendon (SSP) tears in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women screened/followed for OP were recruited. Demographic data, comorbidities, exercise/smoking status, and handgrip strength values were recorded. Probable sarcopenia was diagnosed as handgrip strength values < 20 kg. Achilles and SSP thicknesses were measured using ultrasound. Among 1443 postmenopausal women, 268 (18.6%) subjects had SSP tears. Unilateral tears were on the dominant side in 146 (10.1%) and on the non-dominant side in 55 women (3.8%). In contrast to those without, women with SSP tears had older age, lower level of education, thinner SSP and lower grip strength (all p < 0.05). In addition, they had higher frequencies of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, DM, OP and probable sarcopenia, but lower exercise frequency (all p < 0.05). Binary logistic regression modeling revealed that age [odds ratio (OR): 1.046 (1.024-1.067 95% CI)], hypertension [OR: 1.560 (1.145-2.124 95% CI)], OP [OR: 1.371 (1.022-1.839 95% CI)] and probable sarcopenia [OR: 1.386 (1.031-1.861 95% CI)] were significant predictors for SSP tears (all p < 0.05). This study showed that age, presence of hypertension, probable sarcopenia and OP were related with SSP tears in postmenopausal women. To this end, although OP appeared to be related to SSP tears, SSP tear/thickness evaluation can be recommended for OP patients, especially those who have other risk factors such as older age, higher BMI, hypertension, and probable sarcopenia.