Longevity & AgingOsteosarcopenia Quietly Fuses Bone and Muscle Loss and Raises Risk of Falls, Fractures and Death
Osteosarcopenia is the combination of osteoporosis (fragile bone) and sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass and strength). This narrative review argues the two conditions share mechanical, hormonal, inflammatory and metabolic roots, including fat infiltration, lipotoxicity and disrupted tryptophan-kynurenine metabolism. People with the combined syndrome face higher risks of falls, fractures, disability, hospitalization, nursing home admission and death. Diagnosis pairs DXA bone density testing with sarcopenia assessment (SARC-F screening, grip strength, gait speed, lean mass) using EWGSOP2 criteria. No approved drug targets both tissues; treatment relies on osteoporosis medications plus resistance exercise, adequate protein, vitamin D and calcium. Hormonal, anti-inflammatory, metabolic and cell-based therapies are still investigational, and trials of combined interventions are needed.
