Aging-related muscle mass decline in hip fracture patients across age groups.

BACKGROUND

Age-related muscle mass decline, an important component of sarcopenia, is associated with adverse outcomes in older adults. This study aims to develop an objective method to describe muscle mass from a pathological perspective and to investigate the relationship between aging and muscle mass decline in hip fracture patients.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analysed 120 patients who sustained hip fractures between June 2021 and June 2024, including 71 females and 49 males with a mean age of 74.03 ± 16.67 years. The gluteus maximus muscle tissue was collected during surgery and subjected to histological examination. Muscle proportions were quantitatively analysed using Adobe Photoshop software. The relationship between age and muscle mass was assessed using restricted cubic splines (RCSs) with five knots at specified age percentiles to model the non-linear association.

RESULTS

A significant decline in muscle mass with increasing age, particularly after 75 years in hip fracture patients. Muscle proportions were found to decrease sharply between the ages of 75 and 79, marking a critical period for muscle loss. The study also identified 61 years as the starting point of noticeable muscle mass decline, with further accelerated loss occurring beyond 75 years. Gender differences in the rate of muscle mass decline were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Age-related muscle mass decline is evident in hip fracture patients, with accelerated decreases occurring at specific age intervals. These findings highlight the importance of early monitoring and targeted preventive measures to mitigate adverse outcomes related to muscle loss.