UC San Diego

Low vertebral bone mass is a major risk factor for vertebral compression fractures. Although sarcopenia has been shown to be associated with low bone mineral density (BMD), it is not known whether trunk musculature is directly associated with lumbar BMD, and whether exercise modifies this association. Using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), we sought to determine the association of muscle density and fat fraction of the psoas, paraspinal, and oblique muscle groups with L₃ lumbar volumetric BMD, and whether these associations were modified by exercise. We obtained L₃ vBMD measurements, and fat and muscle measurements (in Hounsfield units [HU]) from abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans spanning the L₂ -L₄ intervertebral disc spaces. Muscle density was defined as the mean HU value for a muscle group area. Fat fraction was calculated as the mean HU value for the muscle group fat area/total muscle group area (cm² ). Exercise data were self-reported (MET-minute/week). We utilized multivariable linear regression to evaluate these associations, stratified by gender, and adjusting for demographics, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, impaired fasting glucose, and corticosteroid and anti-resorptive medication use. Among 1923 MESA participants, mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 62 ± 10 years, 49% were female, 40% white, 21% black, 26% Hispanic/Latino, and 13% Chinese. In fully adjusted analysis, for every 1-SD higher psoas fat fraction, there was a 3.19-SD lower L₃ vBMD in men and 4.3-SD lower L₃ vBMD in women (p < 0.001). For every 1-SD higher psoas density, there was a 0.2-SD higher L₃ vBMD (p < 0.001) in men and 0.19-SD higher L₃ vBMD (p < 0.001) in women. Findings were similar for paraspinal and oblique muscles. Intentional exercise did not modify these associations. In men and women, trunk muscle density was positively associated with higher lumbar BMD, suggesting a local association. Future studies are warranted to determine the temporality of this association. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).