Relationship between the changes over time of bone mass and muscle health in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Various cross-sectional studies provide an abundance of evidence that shows a relationship between bone quantity and muscle health. However, one question remains, less-often studied: is their development - or decline – associated? The aim of the research was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize the studies exploring the association between changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and changes in muscle parameters (registration CRD42018093813). Methods We searched for prospective studies, both in children and adults, by consulting electronic databases (Ovid-MEDLINE, Ovid-AMED, Scopus). Each review steps were performed by two independent reviewers. For outcomes reported by less of 3 studies, we synthetized the results narratively. In other cases, a meta-analysis was performed, giving an overall r coefficient and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Fifteen papers were included. In connection with the change of BMD, 10 studies concerned the parallel change of lean mass, 4 were about grip strength, and 1 was about physical performance. Children were the population of interest for 5 studies, while the aging population was the focus of the other studies. The correlation between hip BMD and lean mass was significant, with an overall coefficient r = 0.37 (95% CI 0.23–0.49). High heterogeneity was observed between studies but the length of follow-up, sex and study quality did not seem to significantly influence results. The systematic review allowed some other highlights: a significant link between changes in BMD and changes in muscle strength was observed (p-value < 0.05 in the 4 studies), in addition to changes in performance (1 study, r = 0.21, p-value = 0.004). Conclusion Despite the heterogeneity between studies, we highlighted a significant association between the change of BMD and the change of various muscle parameters. Future studies should investigate preventive and therapeutic strategies that are based on a single entity: the ‘muscle-bone unit’.

Long-term rates of change in musculoskeletal aging and body composition: findings from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study

“…Previous studies have also examined interrelationships between changes in muscle strength, function and body composition. Changes in muscle strength and function in relation to changes in BMD among adults and children have been reported in a recent systematic review and meta-analysis [22]. Among adults, declines in BMD and the following characteristics were significantly correlated (p < 0.05): lean mass (r = 0.34 [95% CI 0.19-0.48]) [40][41][42][43][44]; grip strength (significant associations reported in all studies [45][46][47]); and gait speed [48].…”

“…and changes in some muscle and bone parameters are correlated [22]. However, to our knowledge, no studies have explored changes in both key sarcopenia components (muscle mass, strength and function) and aspects of body composition (muscle mass, fat mass and bone density) among a single cohort of older people in whom parameters have been measured at multiple time-points.…”

Helicobacter pylori Related Diseases and Osteoporotic Fractures (Narrative Review)

“…Although muscle atrophy and bone loss may occur simultaneously, bone fractures are often preceded by loss of muscle mass and strength. The endocrine functions of skeletal muscles [ 471 , 472 , 473 , 474 , 475 , 476 , 477 ], the tight bidirectional (patho) physiological muscle-bone cross-talk [ 142 , 209 , 478 , 479 , 480 , 481 , 482 , 483 , 484 , 485 , 486 , 487 , 488 , 489 , 490 , 491 , 492 ], and their shared genetics [ 493 , 494 , 495 , 496 ] are well recognized. Not surprisingly, RFs for OP and falls often coexist (up to 63% in patients with HF [ 497 ]).…”

Anthropometric and bioimpedance equations for fat and fat-free mass in Chilean children 7–9 years of age

“…Age, gender, body height, and especially body fat had a significant effect on the functional muscle-bone ratio. There was no gender difference in the bone mineral content/ muscle ratio until pubertal stage 3 (33,34) .…”