Sarcopenia-associated factors and their bone mineral density levels in middle-aged and elderly male type 2 diabetes patients

Background: Chronic hyperglycemia can damage the microcirculation, which impairs the function of various organs and tissues and predisposes individuals to chronic complications. Sarcopenia (SP) is the age-related decline in muscle mass and function that contributes to the sequelae of type 2 diabetes. In particular, diabetic patients are at higher risk of SP because of insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and decreased physical activity.

Aim: To identify SP-associated factors in middle-aged and elderly male type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and their correlation with bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 196 middle-aged and elderly male T2DM inpatients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University between June 2021 and June 2023, with 60 concurrent healthy individuals as the control group. Differences in general information, blood biochemistry, glycosylated hemoglobin, muscle strength, and detection rate of SP were compared between groups. The BMD, appendicular skeletal muscle (ASM), and fat mass, as well as grip strength and gait speed, were determined for each patient, and the ASM index (ASMI) was counted. The quantitative data were subjected to correlation and logistic regression analyses to identify risk factors for SP.

Results: Fifty-one of the 196 middle-aged and elderly male T2DM patients were diagnosed with SP, which accounted for 26.02%. The middle-aged and elderly T2DM patients with SP exhibited a longer diabetes mellitus (DM) course and a lower body mass index (BMI) and 25(OH)D₃ compared with the non-SP patients. The T2DM + SP patients exhibited lower BMI, ASM, ASMI, left- and right-hand grip strength, gait speed, and muscle and fat mass of the upper and lower limbs compared with the diabetic non-SP patients. The femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine L_1-4 BMD were markedly lower in T2DM + SP patients compared with those in the non-SP diabetics. Long-term DM course, low BMI, and low BMD of the femoral neck, lumbar spine L_1-4, and total hip were identified as risk factors for the development of SP.

Conclusion: T2DM patients are at risk for SP; however, measures can be taken to prevent the related risk factors.