Background: This study investigated the association of osteosarcopenia with frailty and poor health conditions among older Iranian adults.
Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Program. Osteosarcopenia was defined as the presence of osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia, while the Fried criteria were used to assess frailty. We assessed the history of falls and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), including physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS, respectively), history of fractures, activities of daily living (ADL), and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), as indicators of poor health conditions.
Results: This study included a total of 2371 older adults. The prevalence rates of osteosarcopenia-only, frailty-only, and osteosarcopenia with frailty were 17.4%, 3%, and 4.8%, respectively. The prevalence of a history of falls, poor ADL, and poor IADL was significantly higher in the frailty-only and osteosarcopenia with frailty groups. Osteosarcopenia with frailty was significantly associated with a history of falls [adjusted odds ratio (adjOR): 1.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.20-3.15)], poor ADL [adjOR: 2.85, 95%CI (1.81-4.50)], and poor IADL [adjOR: 5.09, 95%CI (2.85-9.11)]. However, the frailty-only group also showed an association with falls and poor ADL and IADL. Only osteosarcopenia was associated with an increased OR for fracture. Frailty had the greatest effect on the MCS and PCS scores, whereas osteosarcopenia with frailty had a moderate impact.
Conclusions: Osteosarcopenia with frailty significantly increased the odds of falls, poor ADL, poor IADL, and lower HRQoL compared with the robust group. Combined osteosarcopenia and frailty were not associated with poor health. These findings indicate the importance of diagnosing osteosarcopenia and frailty as separate entities to provide appropriate interventions and treatment.
Keywords: disability; falls; fracture; frailty; health-related quality of life; osteosarcopenia.