Diseases

Bone and flesh: Osteoporosis and sarcopenia

Osteoporosis is a common disease in elderly. Bone density will decrease as the bone formation is less than bone resorption. Osteoporosis is a silence disease. It will lead to crook posture or height reduction, fracture hip, spine and wrist if patient falls.

 

Fracture is not a co-incidence. Patients with osteoporosis and sarcopenia are easier to have fracture. People with fracture are at higher risk to have subsequent fracture. Mobility will decrease after each fracture.

 

Sarcopenia is one of the geriatric syndrome. Aging will cause decline in muscle mass and muscle power. Sarcopenia will lead to decrease in mobility, affect daily activity, increase risk of fragility fracture or even death.

 

 

Diagnosis of sarcopenia is based on a few criteria: decrease in muscle mass, muscle power and general performance using DXA, usual gait speed, 6-minute walking test, get up and go test, power grip.

 

To prevent sarcopenia, there are ways to improve muscle mass and power include nutrition supplement and exercise. Resistance exercise is especially effective.

  

Left: Normal cancellous bone. Right: osteoporotic bone

Photo source: IOF webpage

 

Left: normal adult muscle. Right: sarcopenia patient’s muscle

Photo source: IOF webcage

 

Dr. Angela Ho