Comprehensive nutritional status in sarco-osteoporotic older fallers

OBJECTIVES: In older persons, the combination of osteoporosis and sarcopenia has been proposed as a subset of frailer individuals at higher risk of falls and fractures. However, the particular nutritional status of the sarco-osteoporotic (SOP) patients remains unknown. The goal of this study was to obtain a comprehensive picture of nutritional status in SOP patients. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Falls & Fractures Clinic, Nepean Hospital (Penrith, Australia). PARTICIPANTS: 680 subjects (mean age=79, 65% female) assessed between 2008–2013. MEASUREMENTS: Assessment included medical history, mini-nutritional assessment, physical examination, bone densitometry and body composition by DXA, and blood tests for nutritional status (albumin, creatinine, hemoglobin, vitamin D, vitamin B-12, calcium, phosphate and folate). Patients were divided in 4 groups: 1) osteopenia/osteoporosis (BMD