Association between decreased bone mineral density and dynapenia in postmenopausal women: a case-control study

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the association between decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and dynapenia in postmenopausal women.

Methods: An age-matched case-control study was conducted in postmenopausal women with and without dynapenia. Assessments were carried out by measuring dominant handgrip strength with a Jamar dynamometer; BMI-adjusted cut-off points were applied. BMD was evaluated according to the World Health Organization criteria ( T -score ≤-1 SD), using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Hologic Horizon). The study included sociodemographic, anthropometric, body composition, biochemical, and lifestyle variables. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed, and unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs); statistical significance was set at P ≤0.05. The study adhered to national and international ethical standards.

Results: A total of 201 women were included in the study: 67 with dynapenia (cases) and 134 without (controls). Median ages were 68 years for cases and 66 years for controls. Dynapenia was significantly associated with decreased BMD (OR=3.89, 95% CI=1.31-11.56), high-very high visceral fat levels (OR=3.12, 95% CI=1.26-7.72), and polypharmacy (OR=2.16, 95% CI=1.05-4.63).

Conclusions: Decreased BMD is associated with dynapenia in postmenopausal women, as well as with high-very high visceral fat levels and polypharmacy. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive assessment of musculoskeletal and metabolic risk factors in this population.

Keywords: Bone density; Dynapenia; Hand strength; Muscle strength; Osteoporosis; Women.