Sarcopenia: features of manifestation in patients with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the parameters of sarcopenia (SP) and the factors affecting them in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM).Materials and methods. A study of 87 hospitalized patients with DM (29 men — 33% and 58 women — 67%) aged 21 to 61 years was conducted. The study included the determination of clinical and laboratory parameters, including anthropometric data, laboratory parameters, determination of sarcopenia parameters (muscle mass, muscle strength, muscle function), ultrasound examination of skeletal muscles.Results. A decrease in muscle mass was observed in 11% of patients with DM and depends on the composition of the body. A decrease in muscle function was observed in 30% of patients with DM and depends on the patient’s age (over 41 years; AUS — 0.826; p < 0.001) and the degree of excess body weight (in 87% of patients, BMI is more than 30 kg/m2). A decrease in muscle strength was noted in 44% of patients and depends on the severity of diabetic neuropathy (more than 1 point according to the results of the NDSm scale; AUS — 0.876; p < 0.001). The circumference of the lower leg is positively correlated with the thickness of the intermediate broad thigh muscle (rs = 0.44; p < 0.05) and the thickness of the musculoskeletal fold (rs = 0.70; p < 0.05), determined by ultrasound technique.Conclusion. The probability of SP was noted in 44% of patients with DM and depends on the length of DM and the severity of diabetic neuropathy. Muscle function is reduced in 30% of patients with DM and is associated with the patient’s age and overweight. A decrease in muscle mass was observed in 11% of patients with DM and depends on the composition of the body. The thickness of the intermediate broad thigh muscle and the thickness of the musculoskeletal fold at the hip level (according to ultrasound results) are significantly interrelated with muscle mass.