The Association of Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Scores and Osteosarcopenia Among Older Adult Populations: The Results of Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Program

Considering the association of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with both osteoporosis and sarcopenia, this study aimed to explore the association between a newly developed CVD risk score and osteosarcopenia in the elderly population. Participants in the second phase of the Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) program were included. Osteosarcopenia was defined as having both osteopenia/osteoporosis and sarcopenia. The 10-year CVD risk score was estimated using the WHO lab-based model. The participants were considered as high-risk if the CVD risk was ≥ 20%. The estimated risks were compared in individuals with and without osteosarcopenia. The association of CVD risk and osteosarcopenia was investigated using a logistic regression model, adjusted by potential confounders. In all, 2392 participants (1161 men) with a mean age of 69.3 (± 6.3) years were studied and 532 [242 (45.5%) men] individuals were diagnosed with osteosarcopenia. The median (IQR) CVD risks were 0.340 (0.214) and 0.229 (0.128) in men with and without osteosarcopenia, respectively (P < 0.001); In women, the corresponding values were 0.260 (0.147) and 0.207 (0.128), respectively (P < 0.001). Adjusted by confounders, CVD risk ≥ 20% in women, increased the odds of osteosarcopenia by 72%. Body mass index showed an inverse association with osteosarcopenia in both men (0.81, 95%CI: 0.78–0.85) and women (0.66, 95%CI: 0.62–0.70). Considering the area under the ROC curve, the models showed a discriminative ability of 82% in men and 89% in women. This study displayed a significant association between WHO CVD risk score and osteosarcopenia. Due to the difficult diagnosis of osteosarcopenia, the high association of cardiovascular risk score with this disease can help identify high-risk individuals and refer them for further diagnostic procedures. Considering the high prevalence of osteosarcopenia and its complications in the older population, comprehensive strategies are needed to find high-risk populations.