Use of Routine Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry-Based Bone Mineral Density Measurement in Individuals with Self-Reported Falls within 1 Year as a Warning Sign of Sarcopenia Assessment

This study evaluated the association between self-reported falls within 1 year and fragility fracture among patients who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-based bone mineral density (BMD) measurement. This retrospective cross-sectional analytic study included 1,283 women and men aged 40–90 years who underwent BMD measurement using DXA. The variables assesses were age, sex, body mass index, self-reported falls within 1 year, fragility fractures and bone site, parental hip fracture, current history of daily smoking and daily excess alcohol consumption, long-term steroid use, rheumatoid arthritis, secondary osteoporosis, BMD and BMD T-scores of the lumbar spine and hip, vertebral fracture assessment results, and diagnostic classifications of osteoporosis. The participants were divided into the faller group (those with at least one fall incident within 1 year) and the non-faller group. Overall, 375 (29.2%) patients reported history of falls within 1 year. A previous history of hip fracture (aOR = 7.674, 95% CI: 3.96– 14.86, P = 0.000), previous non-vertebral fracture (aOR = 6.305, 95% CI: 3.41–11.66, P = 0.000), previous vertebral fracture (aOR = 2.466, 95% CI: 1.61–3.78, P = 0.000), and parental hip fracture (aOR = 2.354, 95% CI: 1.46–3.80, P = 0.000) was associated with self-reported falls within 1 year. In conclusion, self-reported falls within 1 year were strongly associated with fragility fracture. The simultaneous testing of DXA- based appendicular skeletal mass and hand grip strength is recommended for diagnosing coincident sarcopenia on routine DXA- based BMD measurement.