Differences in muscle strength, physical activity, and cardiometabolic risk factors between type 2 diabetic patients with and without benzodiazepines or antipsychotic medications

Objective: This study aimed to examine differences in muscle strength, physical activity, and cardiometabolic risk factors between Type 2 diabetic patients with and without benzodiazepines (BZD) or antipsychotic drugs (APD). Methods: The author conducted a cross-sectional study on patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) whose medication history was collected, and handgrip strength (HGS) was measured. Non-BZD- or APD-users were matched one-to-one with the BZD- or APD-users with respect to their age, gender, and body mass index. The differences in HGS, physical activity, and cardiometabolic risk factors such as blood pressure, lipid profile, and glycemic control between groups were assessed. Results: One hundred and ninety-six patients with and without BZD and 85 patients with and without APD were enrolled. HGS and walking time were significantly lower in patients treated with BZD or APD users than those without BZD or APD. Serum triglycerides levels were higher and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in patients treated with APD than those treated without APD. Both BZD and APD users had a longer sleep duration than nondrug users. Conclusion: BZD and APD were associated with decreased muscle strength and daily physical activity, and APD could impair lipid metabolism in patients with T2D, which may result in increasing the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events. BZDs and APDs should be judiciously prescribed for patients with T2D who are at high risk of CV disease.