Osteosarcopenia predicts poor survival in patients with cirrhosis: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcopenia, defined as the coexistence of sarcopenia and osteoporosis, is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The present study investigated the prognostic significance of osteosarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated 126 patients with cirrhosis. Participants were classified into three groups based on the presence or absence of (1) sarcopenia and/or osteoporosis; and (2) Child–Pugh (CP) class B/C cirrhosis and/or osteosarcopenia, and the cumulative survival rates were compared between the groups. Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent factors associated with mortality. Sarcopenia and osteoporosis were diagnosed according to the Japan Society of Hepatology and the World Health Organization criteria, respectively. RESULTS: Among the 126 patients, 24 (19.0%) had osteosarcopenia. Multivariate analysis identified osteosarcopenia as a significant and independent prognostic factor. The cumulative survival rates were significantly lower in patients with osteosarcopenia than in those without (1/3/5-year survival rates = 95.8%/73.7%/68.0% vs. 100%/93.6%/86.5%, respectively; p = 0.020). Patients with osteosarcopenia, but not sarcopenia or osteoporosis alone, had significantly lower cumulative survival rates than those without both conditions (p = 0.019). Furthermore, patients with both CP class B/C and osteosarcopenia had significantly lower cumulative survival rates than those without both (p < 0.001) and with either condition (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Osteosarcopenia was significantly associated with mortality in patients with cirrhosis. The cumulative survival rates were lower in patients with osteosarcopenia than in those without both conditions. Additionally, comorbid osteosarcopenia worsened the prognosis of patients with CP class B/C. Therefore, simultaneous evaluation of both sarcopenia and osteoporosis is crucial to better predict the prognosis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12876-023-02835-y.