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Prospective associations of low muscle mass and function with 10-year falls risk, incident fracture and mortality in community-dwelling older adults

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The journal of nutrition, health & aging

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Abstract

Objectives: Purpose

To compare the performance of low muscle mass and function with falls risk, incident fracture and mortality over 10 years.

Methods

1041 participants (50% women; mean age 63±7.5 years) were prospectively followed for 10 years. Falls risk was measured using the Physiological Profile Assessment, fractures were self-reported and mortality was ascertained from the death registry. Appendicular lean mass (ALM) was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Four anthropometric: (ALM/height2, ALM/body mass index, ALM/weight×100, a residuals method of ALM on height and total body fat) and four performance-based measures: (handgrip strength, lower-limb muscle strength, upper and lower-limb muscle quality) were examined. Participants in the lowest 20% of the sex-specific distribution for each anthropometric and performance-based measure were classified has having low muscle mass or function. Regression analyses were used to estimate associations between each anthropometric and performance-based measure at baseline and 10-year falls risk, incident fractures and mortality.

Results

Mean falls risk z-score at 10 years was 0.64 (SD 1.12), incident fractures and mortality over 10 years were 16% and 14% respectively. All baseline performancebased measures were significantly associated with higher falls risk score at 10 years. Low handgrip (RR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.20) and ALM/body mass index (RR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.08) were the only significant predictors of fracture and mortality respectively.

Conclusions

Low handgrip strength, a simple and inexpensive test could be considered in clinical settings for identifying future falls and fractures. ALM/ body mass index could be most suitable in estimating 10-year mortality risk, but requires specialised equipment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 23, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, Australia

    S. Balogun, T. Winzenberg, K. Wills, G. Jones, D. Aitken & Michele L. Callisaya

  2. Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia

    D. Scott & Michele L. Callisaya

  3. Melbourne Medical School (Western Campus) and Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science, The University of Melbourne and Western Health, St Albans, Victoria, 3021, Australia

    D. Scott

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  1. S. Balogun
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  2. T. Winzenberg
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  5. G. Jones
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  7. Michele L. Callisaya
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Correspondence to Michele L. Callisaya.

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Balogun, S., Winzenberg, T., Wills, K. et al. Prospective associations of low muscle mass and function with 10-year falls risk, incident fracture and mortality in community-dwelling older adults. J Nutr Health Aging 21, 843–848 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-016-0843-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-016-0843-6

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