Evaluating the prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Chinese hospital setting

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with sarcopenia among hospitalized elderly Chinese patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) to inform more effective management and prevention strategies.

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 263 elderly T2DM patients in a hospital in Chengdu, China. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the 2019 criteria from the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS). Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was employed to explore the determinants of sarcopenia among these patients.

The study revealed a sarcopenia prevalence of 42.2% among hospitalized elderly patients with T2DM, with men at 49.44% and women at 38.51%. Patients with sarcopenia were older (72.21 ± 6.841 years vs. 68.55 ± 5.585 years) and had lower Short Physical Performance Battery scores(SPPB), grip strength, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index(ASMI) compared to non-sarcopenic patients (p < 0.001). Sarcopenia significantly impacted body composition, reducing muscle mass and body water and increasing visceral fat (p < 0.001). Logistic regression identified body mass index (BMI)(OR = 0.476, 95%CI: 0.352–0.642), skeletal muscle (OR = 0.274, 95%CI: 0.183–0.409), being female (OR = 0.001, 95%CI: 0.000-0.007) and handgrip strength (OR = 0.911, 95%CI: 0.842–0.986) as protective factors against sarcopenia, while higher waist circumference (OR = 1.186, 95%CI: 1.057–1.331) was significant risk factors.

Key strategies to manage sarcopenia in elderly T2DM patients include maintaining an optimal BMI, strengthening grip, regular body composition assessments, and controlling waist circumference. These measures improve muscle strength, reduce risks from visceral fat, and enhance patient outcomes and quality of life.