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Introduction Musculoskeletal conditions (MSC) and frailty lead to a significant burden of disease in later life. Living independently remains the aim of older adults but ability to self-care or access care at home may hamper this. Our aim was to consider whether MSC (osteoporosis, sarcopenia, osteoarthritis) and frailty were associated with ability to self-care or influence access to formal/informal care among community-dwelling older adults. Methods Participants were recruited from an established cohort study of community-dwelling adults in the UK. Osteoporosis was assessed using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry. Sarcopenia was assessed using EWSGOP2 criteria. Osteoarthritis of the hand, hip or knee was defined by clinical examination. Frailty was assessed using Fried criteria. Ability to self-care and access to formal/informal care were self-reported. Results 443 men and women (median age 75.5 [IQR 73.5–77.9] years) participated. Osteoporosis affected (n = 74) 21.4% of participants, (n = 115) 26.8% had osteoarthritis, (n = 30) 8.6% had sarcopenia, and (n = 33) 7.6% were identified as frail. Most participants (n = 402 [90.7%]) reported no problems with self-care. Identical proportions of participants received informal (n = 53 [12%]) and formal (n = 53 [12%]) care at home in the previous year. Reporting difficulties with self-care was associated with clinical osteoarthritis (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.63–7.43, p = 0.001) and frailty (5.29, 2.12–13.2, p < 0.001), but not with osteoporosis or sarcopenia. Receiving informal care at home in the past year was associated with osteoarthritis (2.56, 1.28–5.14, p = 0.008), the coexistence of two or more MSC (6.50, 1.66–25.39, p = 0.007), and frailty (6.25, 2.59–15.08, p < 0.001), but not with osteoporosis or sarcopenia alone. None of the conditions were associated with receiving formal care. Conclusion MSC are associated with informal receipt of care. Presence of two or more MSC convey similar informal care requirements to those living with frailty. Early assessment and management of MSC and frailty in clinical practice may reduce need for care and preserve independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Lower calf muscle density (CMD) as assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) is associated with greater hip fracture risk, independent of FRAX, falls and bone mineral density. To date, muscle density has been little studied, and its determinants are unknown. In this study, we examine the lifestyle and anthropometric determinants of future muscle density (MD) in the HCS. Methods 197 men and 178 women, aged 59–70 years, were recruited. A lifestyle questionnaire collected information on physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption and dietary patterns. Height and weight were measured. pQCT of the radius and tibia was performed a median of 11.5 (IQR 10.9, 12.3) years later. MD was measured at calf and forearm using standard methodology. Baseline characteristics in relation to MD at follow-up were examined separately using linear regression with sex, baseline age and follow-up time included as covariates in all models. Results Mean (SD) age at baseline was 64.7 (2.7) years; mean (SD) MD values (mg/cm3) were as follows: forearm [men 79.9 (3.1), women 77.2 (3.2)], calf [men 80.7 (2.6), women 78.5 (2.6)]. Baseline correlates (p < 0.05) of both lower forearm and CMD included female sex, lower weight, and lower BMI. SD difference in CMD for women compared to men, and per SD lower weight and BMI were − 0.84 [95%CI: −1.13, −0.54]), −0.37 [−0.46, −0.27] and − 0.31 [−0.40, −0.23] respectively. Additional correlates of lower CMD included older age and shorter stature. Relationships between MD and age were stronger at the calf (p < 0.001) than the forearm (p = 0.08). Lifestyle measures were not associated with MD. Conclusion Female sex, older age, and lower BMI were associated with lower MD in older community-dwelling adults, highlighting the need for sustained muscle conditioning in older individuals. Further studies in larger cohorts are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: reduced grip strength is associated with adverse health consequences, and there is interest in identifying modifiable influences. Cardiovascular drugs are commonly used by older people, but their effect on muscle strength is unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A letter to the editor is presented about a study investigating the relationship between customary physical activity, muscle strength and physical performance in older men and women.

Introduction: Frailty and multimorbidity have been suggested as risk factors for severe COVID-19 disease. We therefore investigated whether frailty and multimorbidity were associated with risk of hospitalisation with COVID-19 in the UK Biobank. Method 502,640 participants aged 40–69 years at baseline (54–79 years at COVID-19 testing) were recruited across UK 2006–10. A modified assessment of frailty using Fried’s classification was generated from baseline data. COVID-19 test results (England) were available 16/03/2020–01/06/2020, mostly taken in hospital settings. Logistic regression was used to discern associations between frailty, multimorbidity and COVID-19 diagnoses, adjusting for sex, age, BMI, ethnicity, education, smoking and number of comorbidity groupings, comparing COVID-19 positive, COVID-19 negative and non-tested groups. Results: 4,510 participants were tested for COVID-19 (positive=1,326, negative= 3,184). 497,996 participants were not tested. Compared to the non-tested group, after adjustment, COVID-19 positive participants were more likely to be frail (OR=1.4 [95%CI=1.1, 1.8]), report slow walking speed (OR=1.3 [1.1, 1.6]), report two or more falls in the past year (OR=1.3 [1.0, 1.5]) and be multimorbid (≥4 comorbidity groupings vs 0–1: OR=1.9 [1.5, 2.3]). However, similar strength of associations were apparent when comparing COVID-19 negative and non-tested groups. Furthermore, frailty and multimorbidity were not associated with COVID-19 diagnoses, when comparing COVID- 19 positive and COVID-19 negative participants. Conclusions: Frailty and multimorbidity do not appear to aid risk stratification, in terms of a positive versus negative results of COVID-19 testing. Investigation of the prognostic value of these markers for adverse clinical sequelae following COVID-19 disease is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which examined the association of growth in early life with physical performance in older people. The participants in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study in England were examined and they underwent several tests, including quadriceps strength and timed up and go test (TUG). Findings identified a link between early growth and muscle strength in men and women and balance in men.

The article presents a research determining the association of grip strength with features of the metabolic syndrome. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study within a cohort design and collected data on areas such as grip strength, fasting glucose, and triglycerides. Results noted that impaired grip strength is connected with the individual features and the overall summary definitions of metabolic syndrome.

The article presents a research associating patterns of physical activity with physical performance in older people. A physical activity questionnaire was given to men and women aged 63-73 years taking part in the Hertfordshire Cohort Study and they also underwent tests such as grip strength and timed up and go test (TUG). The authors concluded that lower activity participation is associated with poorer physical performance in women.

Discusses research being done on birth weight, infant growth, and mortality in Hertfordshire, England. Reference to study by H. E. Synddall et al, presented at the annual meeting of the British Geriatrics Society Communications in Harrogate, England from October 6 to 8, 2004; Relation of birth weight to cardiovascular mortality and other causes of death; Analysis of a range of mortality outcomes.

Discusses research being done on oily fish consumption of older people. Reference to study by S. M. Robinson et al, presented at the British Geriatrics Society Communications to the Autumn Meeting in Harrogate, England from October 6 to 8, 2004; Role of diet in the prevention of sarcopenia; Relationship between oily fish consumption and grip strength.

Discusses research being done on the dietary patterns of older people. Reference to study by S. M. Robinson et al, presented at the British Geriatrics Society Communications to the Autumn Meeting in Harrogate, England from October 6 to 8, 2004; Overview of the increased interest in the use of dietary patterns as a tool for understanding the importance of diets in the etiology of disease; Characteristics of important dietary pattern for older people.

Discusses research being done on the origins of body composition in older men in Hertfordshire, England. Reference to a study by A. Aihie Sayer and colleagues, presented at the autumn meeting of the British Geriatrics Societies in October 2004; Association between birth weight and body mass index; Methodology and results.

Discusses research being done on the association between insulin resistance and decreased physical quality of life in elderly people. Reference to a study by P. Ambery and colleagues, presented at the autumn meeting of the British Geriatrics Societies in October 2004; Link between insulin resistance, quality of life and morbidity.

Discusses research being done on the validity of hand held dynamometry of supine quadriceps strength in aged people. Reference to a study by H. Gilbody and colleagues, presented at the autumn meeting of the British Geriatrics Societies in October 2004; Comparison between hand held and Biodex System II dynamometers.

Presents an abstract of the study "Relationship Between Size at Birth, Infant Growth, and Grip Strength in Later Life: The Hertfordshire 1931-39 Cohort Study," by H. Syddall, H. Gilbody, E. Dennison, D. Barker, C. Cooper and A. Aihie Sayer.

Presents an abstract of the study "Hand Held Dynamometry of Supine Quadriceps Strength: Assessment of Observer Variability," by H. Gilbody, S. Craighead, H. Syddall, E. Dennison, C. Cooper and A. Aihie Sayer.