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Background <p>With increased life expectancy in the modern world, the proportion of the elderly population is rising. So, the diseases and disabilities encountered in this age need to be addressed. Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength with advancing age. It is yet to be fully recognized as a global public health problem, with a sparse medical literature on it.</p> Aim <p>To establish a clinico-radiological correlation and comparison of sarcopenia in the elderly with and without fragility fractures.</p> Methods <p>This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care institute in North India among elderly individuals aged 60 years and older, divided into two groups: those with fragility fractures and those without fragility fractures. The patients were evaluated for sarcopenia and osteoporosis using a standard protocol that included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), ultrasound (USG), handgrip strength measurement, and the WHO SarQol questionnaire.</p> Results <p>A total of 128 participants, 51 with a fragility fracture and 77 without a fragility fracture, were enrolled in the study. A very high prevalence of sarcopenia and osteoporosis was noted, more so in the fragility fracture group (84.6% and 92.2%, respectively). Muscle parameters obtained on ultrasound [rectus muscle thickness (cm) (mean ± SD) 0.811 ± 0.381], appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) on DXA (4.981 ± 0.939 kg/m<sup>2</sup>), handgrip strength (14.62 ± 6.62 kg), SarQol questionnaire (70.34 ± 8.66), and BMD (<i>T</i> score) (−4.235 ± 1.352) scores, all were lower in fragility fracture patients. Rectus muscle thickness had the highest sensitivity for predicting sarcopenia of all the USG parameters. The mean value of rectus muscle thickness obtained in sarcopenia patients was 0.836 ± 0.384 cm compared to 1.134 ± 0.384 cm in non-sarcopenics. The cutoff value of 1.005 cm for rectus muscle thickness in males (sensitivity 78.6%) and the cutoff value of 0.595 cm for rectus muscle thickness in females (sensitivity 95.7%); however, low specificity was noted in the present study.</p> Conclusions <p>There is a good clinico-radiological correlation to define sarcopenia and osteoporosis in the elderly. It is a step ahead to identify the population at risk so that timely measures can be taken to address it.</p>

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Clinico-radiological correlation and comparison of sarcopenia in the elderly with and without fragility fractures

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月28日

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  • Vineet Aggarwal,
  • Sapna Kohli,
  • Neeti Aggarwal,
  • Shruti Thakur

摘要

Background

With increased life expectancy in the modern world, the proportion of the elderly population is rising. So, the diseases and disabilities encountered in this age need to be addressed. Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength with advancing age. It is yet to be fully recognized as a global public health problem, with a sparse medical literature on it.

Aim

To establish a clinico-radiological correlation and comparison of sarcopenia in the elderly with and without fragility fractures.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care institute in North India among elderly individuals aged 60 years and older, divided into two groups: those with fragility fractures and those without fragility fractures. The patients were evaluated for sarcopenia and osteoporosis using a standard protocol that included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), ultrasound (USG), handgrip strength measurement, and the WHO SarQol questionnaire.

Results

A total of 128 participants, 51 with a fragility fracture and 77 without a fragility fracture, were enrolled in the study. A very high prevalence of sarcopenia and osteoporosis was noted, more so in the fragility fracture group (84.6% and 92.2%, respectively). Muscle parameters obtained on ultrasound [rectus muscle thickness (cm) (mean ± SD) 0.811 ± 0.381], appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) on DXA (4.981 ± 0.939 kg/m2), handgrip strength (14.62 ± 6.62 kg), SarQol questionnaire (70.34 ± 8.66), and BMD (T score) (−4.235 ± 1.352) scores, all were lower in fragility fracture patients. Rectus muscle thickness had the highest sensitivity for predicting sarcopenia of all the USG parameters. The mean value of rectus muscle thickness obtained in sarcopenia patients was 0.836 ± 0.384 cm compared to 1.134 ± 0.384 cm in non-sarcopenics. The cutoff value of 1.005 cm for rectus muscle thickness in males (sensitivity 78.6%) and the cutoff value of 0.595 cm for rectus muscle thickness in females (sensitivity 95.7%); however, low specificity was noted in the present study.

Conclusions

There is a good clinico-radiological correlation to define sarcopenia and osteoporosis in the elderly. It is a step ahead to identify the population at risk so that timely measures can be taken to address it.