ABSTRACT Background: Taiwan is rapidly aging, and osteoporosis and sarcopenia are major health concerns among older adults, particularly those living in long-term care settings. Objectives: To examine the association between osteoporosis and sarcopenia among institutionalized veterans aged ≥65 years in Taiwan, and to determine whether osteoporosis is linked to a higher likelihood of sarcopenia compared with no osteoporosis. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved convenience sampling of residents in long-term care facilities from March 2020 to September 2020. They were categorized into groups with and without sarcopenia based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. Osteoporosis was assessed using bone mineral density measurements from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, defining osteoporosis as a T-score ≤−2.5. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for T-score, age, gender, body mass index (BMI), modified Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), exercise weekly frequency, steroid use, and vegetarian status were used to explore the association between sarcopenia and osteoporosis. Results: A total of 238 participants (83.6% men) with a median age of 83.66 years were analyzed. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 58.8%. Sarcopenia was associated with age, BMI, and T-score significantly. Furthermore, the logistic regression revealed that adjusted with age, BMI, modified CCI and exercise condition, sarcopenia was associated with osteoporosis among male participants (adjusting odds ratio 2.16, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–4.63; P = 0.047) but not found in female. Conclusion: The findings suggest a significant association between osteoporosis and sarcopenia in male but not in female. Integrated care for osteoporosis and sarcopenia should be addressed for those vulnerable older people among Veterans homes.
Lin et al. (2026) studied this question.