New indicators related to the osteosarcopenia in the elderly: assessment of intrinsic capacity.

BACKGROUND

While intrinsic capacity (IC) has been associated with reduced sarcopenia risk, its relationship with osteosarcopenia remains unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the association between IC and osteosarcopenia in older adults.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study enrolled outpatient patients ≥ 60 years to investigate IC-osteosarcopenia associations. IC was quantified through a multidimensional score integrating cognition, mobility, vitality, psychological, and sensory domains. Osteosarcopenia was defined as concurrent osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Participants underwent stratification based on osteoporosis/sarcopenia comorbidity status. Multivariable-adjusted logistic models assessed IC-osteosarcopenia risk gradients, with subgroup analyses exploring age/sex-specific effects and comorbidity interactions.

RESULTS

In this cohort of 461 older adults (median age 80 years), osteosarcopenia prevalence reached 26%. Logistic regression analysis identified: cognitive [odds ratio (OR): 0.871, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.808–0.933] and sensory (OR: 0.633, 95% CI: 0.417–0.950) impairments specifically predicted osteosarcopenia, while vitality deficits demonstrated dual risks for both sarcopenia (OR: 0.820, 95% CI: 0.725–0.920) and osteosarcopenia (OR: 0.736, 95% CI: 0.648–0.826). Locomotor impairment and psychological distress emerged as pan-risk factors across sarcopenia, osteoporosis, and osteosarcopenia. Total IC scores exhibited dose-dependent associations with all three musculoskeletal outcomes (P < 0.05), maintaining significance across age/sex subgroups and after confounding variables adjustment.

CONCLUSION

Total IC score serves as a significant predictor of osteosarcopenia in elderly patients. Cognition, mobility, vitality, psychological, and sensory domains were associated with osteosarcopenia.