Joint trajectories of skeletal muscle and fat mass in relation to glucose homeostasis: 6-Year findings from adults aged ≥50 years.

Abstract

Aims: We aimed to identify sex-specific joint skeletal muscle mass index (SMI)-fat mass index (FMI) trajectories and examine their associations with glucose homeostasis in adults aged ≥50 years.

Materials and methods: We included 2323 community-dwelling adults from the West China Health and Aging Trend cohort. SMI and FMI were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Glucose homeostasis was assessed via Homeostasis Model Assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and Homeostasis Model Assessment of beta-cell function (HOMA-β). Sex-stratified group-based trajectory modelling identified joint SMI-FMI patterns, and their associations with glucose measures were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using generalised estimating equations and by excluding participants with diabetes.

Results: Five joint SMI-FMI trajectory classes (C0-C4) were identified per sex. Baseline HOMA-IR and HOMA-β were lowest in the normal-FMI C0/C4, intermediate in the overweight-FMI C1/C2 and highest in the obese-FMI C3, regardless of SMI. HOMA-IR increased significantly in high-FMI trajectories in both sexes (mean net annual increases: 2.63% for C2 and 2.55% for C3 in males; 1.65% for C2 and 2.62% for C3 in females) and also in female C0 with high SMI and normal FMI (mean net annual increases: 1.03%). HOMA-β remained stable over time in both sexes, with no significant between-class differences in its rate of change. Sensitivity analyses largely confirmed these findings.

Conclusions: High-FMI trajectories were associated with elevated baseline insulin resistance (IR), enhanced compensatory β-cell function in both sexes and faster IR progression in males, while SMI offered limited protection. Females exhibited a broader decline in insulin sensitivity, whereas in males, this decline was primarily associated with high adiposity.