Association between sarcopenia and osteoporosis in chronic liver disease

Aim Sarcopenia and osteoporosis are important complications in chronic liver disease (CLD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sarcopenia and osteoporosis in patients with CLD. Methods We retrospectively investigated the relationship between sarcopenia and osteoporosis in 112 CLD patients (57 men and 55 women), including 40 cirrhotic patients (36%), by measuring the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) using bio‐impedance analysis. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Results The sarcopenia rate was 13% (14/112), and the osteoporosis and osteopenia rates were 17% (19/112) and 65% (73/112), respectively. The rate of osteoporosis was significant and high in patients with sarcopenia or cirrhosis. In linear regression analysis, sarcopenia was significantly associated with the BMD of the lumbar spine (coefficient = −0.149, P = 0.014) and the femur neck (coefficient = −0.110, P = 0.003). Cirrhosis was also significantly associated with low BMD of the lumbar spine (coefficient = −0.160, P