Possible osteosarcopenia is associated with floss in intrinsic capacity and early cognitive deficits: a longitudinal study of older adults in Singapore

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcopenia is linked to frailty, falls, fractures, and mortality. It may impair intrinsic capacity (IC), with emerging evidence especially pointing to its relationship with cognition capacity. We determined the prevalence and characteristics of persons with possible osteosarcopenia in older adults and examined its association with IC, with a focus on cognition. METHODS: 2,291 participants were recruited through a national household survey of older adults in Singapore. Socio-demographic, health, and psychosocial variables were collected using questionnaires and physical assessments at baseline. Possible osteosarcopenia was defined by the concurrent presence of possible osteoporosis and possible sarcopenia. Multilevel mixed‑effects regression models examined the association of possible osteosarcopenia with IC at baseline, and with cognitive function at six months post-baseline. RESULTS: Possible osteosarcopenia, observed among 50.3% of the cohort, was associated with lower IC at baseline, including cognition capacity. Furthermore, baseline possible osteosarcopenia was associated with poor cognitive function at six months post-baseline, particularly among those with loss in cognitive capacity at baseline. This was driven by impaired delayed recall and poor orientation abilities, indicators of both early onset and gradual decline of cognitive impairment. On the other hand, higher education, social networks, resilience, and quality of life were associated with better IC (at baseline) and cognition (at baseline and at six months post-baseline). CONCLUSION: Possible osteosarcopenia is prevalent among older adults in Singapore and is associated with loss in intrinsic capacity and cognitive function, highlighting the importance of early intervention in rapidly ageing societies.