Prevalence of diabetes-related sarcopenia and its defining components within primary care: A cross-sectional study

Background

Diabetes-related sarcopenia is a significant contributor to the global prevalence of sarcopenia. Both conditions become more prevalent with age and amplify the risk of adverse outcomes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of sarcopenia and at-risk morphofunctional (MF) phenotypes and to identify the factors associated in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), including non-elderly adults, in primary care settings

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 261 individuals managed in primary care units in Mexico City, between July 2022 and May 2024. Assessments followed the guidelines of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older Adults (EWGSOP2) to identify isolated low muscle mass, low muscle strength, and sarcopenia or severe sarcopenia

Results

The mean age of the participants (57.1 % female) was 51.1 ± 12.1 years, with a median diabetes duration of 7 (1–15) years. An altered MF assessment was observed in 159 participants, with 14.1 % exhibiting sarcopenia, 5.4 % isolated low muscle strength, and 41.4 % isolated low muscle mass. Univariate logistic regression analysis identified that age, educational level, diabetes duration, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference, fat mass, use, and insulin dose were associated with altered MF assessment. Multivariable analyses showed that hip circumference and hypertriglyceridemia were associated with a lower risk of altered MF assessment, whereas the interactions between age and fat mass increased the risk.

Conclusions

This primary care study, which included elderly and non-elderly adults with T2D, revealed a relatively high prevalence of altered MF assessments, including sarcopenia, low muscle strength, and low muscle mass. Early recognition of sarcopenia spectrum disorders is essential for the timely prevention of adverse outcomes related to diabetic sarcopenia in primary care settings.