Background/Purpose: Most studies on sarcopenia and osteoporosis involve elderly populations. However, because postmenopausal hypoestrogenism is able to negatively modulate bone and muscle mass, it is important to understand the interplay between muscle and bone in early menopause. In addition, there is a paucity of studies investigating the potential influence of muscle mass and function upon bone quality (microarchitecture and strength), which could provide a more comprehensive view of fracture risk in this population. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the potential correlations between muscle parameters (mass, strength and function), and bone microarchitecture and strength using high-resolution peripheral computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in postmenopausal women.

Methods: A total of 248 healthy menopausal women (aged 58.0 ± 6.0 years) were evaluated by clinical questionnaire, laboratory and body composition (DXA, Hologic, QDR-4500). Bone quality (density, microarchitecture, strength and cortical porosity) was analyzed by high resolution peripheral computed tomography (distal radius and tibia, XtremeCT, Scanco Medical, Brüttisellen, Switzerland). Functional mobility and muscle performance were measured by handgrip strength (JAMAR model dynamometer), Timed-Stand and Timed Up & Go tests. Balance was assessed by the Berg Balance Scale. The correlation between bone parameters (HR-pQCT) and muscle performance was analyzed by the Spearman test (p <0.05).

Results: At the radius, there were positive correlations between handgrip strength and trabecular bone HR-pQCT parameters (trabecular volumetric bone mineral density [Tb.vBMD]: r = 0.17, p = 0.03), trabecular thickness [Tb.Th]: r = 0,16, p = 0.04) and trabecular separation [Tb.Sp]: r = – 0.15, p= 0.02), as well as between muscle strength and bone strength (Stiffness – S: r = 0.36, p <0.001). At the tibia, the left leg muscle mass was positively correlated with number of trabeculae (Tb.N) (r = 0.16, p <0.001), cortical thickness (Ct.Th) (r = 0.21, p = 0.01) and bone strength (S) (r = 0.37, p <0.001). There were no significant correlations between HR-pQCT parameters and lower limb functional tests, except between the balance and tibial Tb.vBMD (r = 0.13, p = 0.04). There was a negative correlation between total body fat and muscle function (timed-stand test: r = -0.21, p <0.001, balance: r = -0.21, p <0.001).

Conclusion: In postmenopausal women, muscle strength seems to play a more important role in the upper limb bone (radius) parameters, whereas muscle mass seems to exert a higher influence on the lower limb bone (tibia). These findings suggest a difference on relationship between muscle and bone according to distinct body segments. In addition, the negative correlation between body fat and balance/muscle function indicate that increased body fat mass might confer increased risk of falls in this population. Longitudinal studies are needed to test these assumptions.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/associations-between-muscle-mass-and-function-with-bone-microarchitecture-and-bone-strength-in-postmenopausal-women/