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The following is a summary of “Depression as a risk factor for osteoporosis independent of sarcopenia in hemodialysis patients: findings from a multicenter cross-sectional study,” published in the January 2025 issue of Nephrology by Hu et al. 

Osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and depression commonly occur in patients with hemodialysis (HD) going through end-stage renal disease. The interrelationships among these conditions remain poorly understood in this population. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study on osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and depression in patients with hemodialysis. 

They recruited 858 patients with HD from 7 dialysis centers. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was calculated using multifrequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA). Handgrip strength (HGS) was measured with a dynamometer, gait speed was evaluated with a 4-meter walk test, and depression was assessed using the patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). 

The results showed 39.2% of participants had osteoporosis, 18.9% had sarcopenia, and 42.1% had depression. SMI was significantly associated with a decreased risk of osteoporosis (OR = 0.638, 95% CI = 0.494–0.823, P = 0.001), while HGS was not (OR = 0.990, 95% CI = 0.963–1.017, P = 0.449). Patients with HD and sarcopenia had a 1.92 times higher likelihood of osteoporosis. After adjusting for sarcopenia and SMI, depression increased the risk of osteoporosis by 1.45 times (OR = 1.452, 95% CI = 1.060–1.989, P = 0.020). 

Investigators found that higher muscle mass reduced osteoporosis risk in patients with HD. Depression was a significant risk factor for osteoporosis. 

Source: bmcnephrol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12882-025-03963-1