Research advances in crosstalk between muscle and bone in osteosarcopenia (Review)

Abstract

Osteosarcopenia is a burgeoning geriatric syndrome and a familiar disease among older individuals. It is characterized by reduced skeletal muscle mass and bone mineral density due to osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Its clinical manifestations include reduced physical performance and individuals becoming prone to falls during the aging process resulting in fractures and hospitalization, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients and increases the risk of death. Due to the aging social structure of the global population, the morbidity of osteosarcopenia is expected to continue to increase. Both muscle and bone belong to the motor system and originate from the mesoderm; therefore, sarcopenia and osteoporosis also share similar pathogenical factors, which influence and regulate each other. Studying the pathogenesis and treatment of osteosarcopenia is of great significance to improve the quality of life of patients. Therefore, the present study reviewed the research progress on sarcopenia and osteoporosis in osteosarcopenia from the standpoints of its definition, epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis, prevention and treatment.