The Association Between Time in Range %, and Physical & Functional Indices Amongst Older People With Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Diabetes is a major public health burden associated with high mortality, morbidity, hospitalization and health care services utilization rates. People with diabetes have an increased risk for mobility disability compared to those without diabetes, after controlling for age. People with diabetes also have a higher risk for falls and fractures. Data from the last several years suggests that this increased risk is not only due to diabetes co-morbidities but also due to an accelerated decline in physical capacity due to lower muscle quality and a more rapid decline in muscle mass (sarcopenia) and lower extremity strength over time. HBA1C is a measure of average glucose levels; however, it does not provide information about glycemic variability, or daily patterns of glycemia. In the last several years, several organizations have published consensus statements on the role of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in glucose control. The use of CGM has brought about the development of many glucose indices, amongst them is: Time In Range% (TIR) of 70–180 mg/dL (3.9–10 mmol/L). Less is known regarding the association between TIR and sarcopenia, muscle mass loss that leads to deterioration in mobility, disabilities and decline in physical indices in older people with diabetes. Aims: To assess among older people with diabetes type 2, the cross sectional association between: TIR and aerobic capacity, gait speed, strength, balance and frailty indices. Methods: A cross sectional study, conducted amongst people with diabetes over the age of 60. Participants were provided with a blinded CGM system- (I Pro2 carelink, Medtronic) for 1 week and underwent elaborate physical-functional assessment in the beginning and at the end of that week. The association between the % of time in range (Time in Range-TIR) and several physical indices was determined using linear regression. Results: This analysis pertains to 55 men and women who completed the evaluation. After adjustment for age and gender, we found that 1% increase in TIR was associated with a 0.341 higher score on the 30 second Sit to Stand score (a measure of lower extremity strength) (P-value=0.02), a 0.351 higher score on the BERG scale (a measure of balance) (P-value=0.01), a 0.271 lower score on the timed up and go score (a measure of fall risk and balance) (P-value=0.008), a 0.289 higher score on the 6-minute walk score (a measure of aerobic capacity and endurance) (P-value=0.02) and a 0.261 lower score on the 360 turn test (a measure of dynamic balance) (P-value=0.0004). The same was not observed for the relationship between HGA1C & physical indices.