AGS and NIA bench-to bedside conference summary: osteoporosis and soft tissue (muscle and fat) disorders

Authors: COLON-EMERIC, CATHLEEN - Duke University; WHITSON, HEATHER - Duke University; BERRY, SARAH - Harvard University; FIELDING, ROGER - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University; HOUSTON, DENISE - Wake Forest School Of Medicine; KIEL, DOUGLAS - Harvard University; ROSEN, CLIFFORD - Maine Medical Center Research Institute (MMCRI); SELDEEN, KENNETH - University Of Buffalo; VOLPI, ELENA - University Of Texas; WHITE, JAMES - Duke University; TROEN, BRUCE - University Of Buffalo

Submitted to: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/13/2019
Publication Date: 12/2/2019
Citation: Colon-Emeric, C., Whitson, H.E., Berry, S.D., Fielding, R.A., Houston, D.K., Kiel, D., Rosen, C., Seldeen, K.L., Volpi, E., White, J.P., Troen, B.R. 2019. AGS and NIA bench-to bedside conference summary: osteoporosis and soft tissue (muscle and fat) disorders. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16248.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16248

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This report summarizes the presentations and recommendations of the eleventh annual American Geriatrics Society and National Institute on Aging research conference, "Osteoporosis and Soft Tissue (Muscle/Fat) Disorders," on March 11-12, 2019, in Bethesda, Maryland. Falls, fractures, and sarcopenia have a major impact on health in older adults, and they are interconnected by known risk factors. The link between osteoporosis, which is common in older adults, and the risk of falls is well known. Sarcopenia, the age-related decline in skeletal muscle mass and function, is also associated with an increased risk of falls and fractures because it reduces strength and leads to functional limitations. In addition to increasing the risk of falls, sarcopenia and osteoporosis can lead to frailty, reduced quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. The conference highlighted the impact of bone and soft tissue disorders on quality of life, morbidity, and mortality in older adults. Presenters described factors that contribute to these disorders; health disparities experienced by various subpopulations; and promising biological, pharmacologic, and behavioral interventions to prevent or treat these disorders. The workshop identified many research gaps and questions along with research recommendations that have the potential to enhance the prospect of healthy aging and improved quality of life for older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:31-38, 2019. Keywords: fractures; frailty; muscle; osteoporosis; sarcopenia.