Background/Purpose: Fat mass and lean mass (LM) represent 95% of body weight. However, the role of each component on bone mineral density (BMD) is not clear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between LM mass and hip BMD. 

Methods: Voluntary subjects aged 65 years or older were recruited in an outpatient clinic in Liège, Belgium.  Hip BMD as well as LM were measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry. 

Results: 123 subjects were recruited for this study (88.5% of women, mean age 74.6 ± 6.4 years). LM was positively correlated with hip BMB (r=0.40; p<0.001). In a multiple regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, alcohol and tobacco consumption and presence of prior fracture, this relationship was still significant (b=0.35; p=0.02). In line with this result, we found a higher correlation between LM and hip BMD in men than in women (r=0.60 versus r=0.32 respectively), but also in subjects presenting a BMI higher than 25 kg/m² compared to the others (r=0.51 versus r=0.09), in subjects aged between 65 years and 80 years compared to older (r=0.38 versus r=0.29) and in subjects spending at least 1000 kcal/week for their leisure time activity (i.e. Minnesota test) compared to the others (r=0.44 versus r=0.28).

Conclusion: A positive association was found between LM and hip BMD. Strategies aiming to increase lean body mass in subjects aged 65 years or older could be of great public health interest in the field of bone health.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/association-between-lean-mass-and-hip-bone-mineral-density/