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Osteoporosis and sarcopenia: the connections

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Abstract

Osteoporosis and sarcopenia are the most frequent musculoskeletal disorders affecting older people. Osteoporosis is a widespread disorder affecting millions of individuals of all ethnic backgrounds worldwide, particularly among older women. It is characterized by reduced bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue, with a consequent increase in the risk of fracture. Sarcopenia is considered to be one of the major factors responsible for functional limitations and motor dependency in elderly persons. In age-related muscle atrophy, a decrease in muscle fiber size and number, and a preferential loss of type II fibers have been reported. A decrease in the circulating levels of specific hormones (e.g., estrogen, testosterone, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1) has been shown to be associated with sarcopenia and this appears to play an important role in its pathogenesis.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, “PoliclinicoTor Vergata” Foundation, V.le Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy

    Umberto Tarantino, Jacopo Baldi, Monica Celi, Cecilia Rao, Federico Maria Liuni, Riccardo Iundusi & Elena Gasbarra

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  1. Umberto Tarantino
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  2. Jacopo Baldi
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  3. Monica Celi
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  4. Cecilia Rao
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  5. Federico Maria Liuni
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  6. Riccardo Iundusi
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  7. Elena Gasbarra
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Correspondence to Umberto Tarantino.

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Tarantino, U., Baldi, J., Celi, M. et al. Osteoporosis and sarcopenia: the connections. Aging Clin Exp Res 25 (Suppl 1), 93–95 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0097-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-013-0097-7

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