Prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in patients with diabetes and adverse outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Nutrition of aging people with diabetes mellitus: Focus on sarcopenia

As populations age, chronic diseases accumulate, and new health conditions emerge. One noteworthy pair that warrants further evaluation is diabetes mellitus and sarcopenia, given that the latter occurs in 28 % of the population aged over 50 who have diabetes mellitus. The management of both entails nutritional interventions, making the development of unified dietary recommendations an alluring strategy. This review aims to elucidate the current recommendations for the combined management of sarcopenia and diabetes, while featuring elements that require further research. The goal of nutritional management is to improve muscle mass and strength while regulating metabolic risk and glucose levels. To ensure muscle synthesis in the elderly, recommendations align at daily calorie intake that exceeds 30 kcal/kg, with adjustments based on comorbidities. Additionally, a protein intake of at least 1-1.2 g/kg/d is essential, emphasizing both daily and per-meal intake, and can be achieved through diet or branched-amino-acids supplements. Specific considerations for diabetes include restricted protein intake in diabetic nephropathy and exploring the potential link between branched amino acids and insulin resistance. Further recommendations that both promote metabolic health and have demonstrated at least a potential to increase muscle strength include prioritizing polyunsaturated fatty acids as a fat source and maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D. Clinicians should consult their patients on dietary optimization, but evidence is insufficient to recommend additional supplementation. Lastly, an emerging challenge of diabetes and sarcopenia is sarcopenic obesity, which requires the combination of a hypocaloric diet with increased protein intake.

Unraveling the enigma of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity in Indian adults with type 2 diabetes - a comparative cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity are growing concerns associated with increasing diabetes incidence, but data from Indian diabetic cohorts are limited. This study examined the prevalence and clinical factors associated with sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 750 participants aged 35-70 years were recruited by systematic stratification and a fixed quota sampling technique from medical camps and categorized into diabetic (n = 250), nondiabetic (n = 250), and obese nondiabetic (n = 250) groups. The assessments included questionnaires, muscle mass estimation by bioimpedance analysis, and blood tests. Sarcopenia was defined using the Asian Working Group consensus, and sarcopenic obesity was defined as sarcopenia with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Logistic regression was used to analyze risk factors.

RESULTS

Sarcopenia affected 60% of diabetic patients, 28% of nondiabetic patients, and 38% of nonobese nondiabetic patients (p < 0.001). The prevalence of sarcopenic obesity was 40%, 11%, and 30%, respectively (p < 0.001). Diabetes was associated with 2.3-fold greater odds (95% CI 1.1-4.7) of sarcopenia and 2.4-fold greater odds (1.1-5.0) of sarcopenic obesity after adjustment. A duration greater than 10 years, uncontrolled diabetes, age greater than 65 years, low physical activity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia also independently increased the odds.

CONCLUSION

Indian adults with type 2 diabetes have a high burden of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity. Early optimization of diabetes care and lifestyle changes are vital for preserving muscle health.

The Role of Tele-Exercise for People with Type 2 Diabetes: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Supervised exercise interventions tend to be more effective than unsupervised exercises or physical activity advice alone. However, people with type 2 diabetes may find it difficult to attend supervised exercise interventions due to several obstacles. Tele-exercise, or utilizing technology to deliver home-based exercise, might be a solution.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to explore clinical trials investigating the impact of tele-exercise interventions in individuals with type 2 diabetes Methods: Four electronic databases were searched for the period up to January 2024 for clinical trials investigating the impact of tele-exercise on health-related outcomes in adults with type 2 diabetes.

RESULTS

Seven trials involving 460 individuals with type 2 diabetes met the inclusion criteria. In these trials, combined aerobic and resistance exercise programs were the main types delivered remotely. To deliver such programs, both synchronous (n = 4) and asynchronous (n = 3) delivery modes were adopted. Regardless of the delivery mode, all tele-exercise interventions led to improvements in various factors related to type 2 diabetes and its complications, including glycemic control, blood lipids, body composition, functional capacity, muscle strength, and quality of life. The improvements were also found to be as effective as those of supervised exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Tele-exercise interventions seem to be feasible and as effective as supervised exercise interventions in terms of improving glycemic control, blood lipids, functional capacity, muscle strength, body composition, and quality of life for people with type 2 diabetes.

Pathogenesis and comprehensive treatment strategies of sarcopenia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Sarcopenia and diabetes are two age-related diseases that are common in the elderly population, and have a serious effect on their general health and quality of life. Sarcopenia refers to the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength and function, whereas diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by elevated blood sugar levels. The comorbidity of sarcopenia and diabetes is particularly concerning, as people with diabetes have a higher risk of developing sarcopenia due to the combination of insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and reduced physical activity. In contrast, sarcopenia destroyed blood sugar control and exacerbated the development of people with diabetes, leading to the occurrence of a variety of complications. Fortunately, there are a number of effective treatment strategies for sarcopenia in people with diabetes. Physical exercise and a balanced diet with enough protein and nutrients have been proved to enhance the muscular quality and strength of this population. Additionally, pharmacological therapies and lifestyle changes can optimize blood sugar control, which can prevent further muscle loss and improve overall health outcomes. This review aims to summarize the pathogenesis and comprehensive treatment strategies of sarcopenia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, which help healthcare professionals recognize their intimate connection and provide a new vision for the treatment of diabetes and its complications in this population. Through early identification and comprehensive treatment, it is possible to improve the muscle function and general quality of life of elderly with diabetes and sarcopenia.

Sarcopenic Obesity Burden, Determinants, and Association With Risk of Frailty, Falls, and Functional Impairment in Older Adults With Diabetes: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is a medical and functional state characterized by the coexistence of excessive adipose tissue and sarcopenia inside an individual. Recent epidemiological studies suggest a rising prevalence of SO in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) probably due to the conducive environment resulting from adipose tissue dysfunction and muscle wasting accelerated by insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and altered protein metabolism. Individuals with SO may have higher risk of experiencing falls, frailty, and disabilities due to compromised musculoskeletal integrity, gait abnormalities, and reduced functional capacity. The primary study objective was to determine the prevalence and predictors of SO among older adults with a history of DM. The secondary objective was to assess the association of falls, frailty, and functional disability with SO in patients with DM.

METHODOLOGY

This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the nationally representative Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI) Wave 1, focusing on individuals aged 60 and above, with an emphasis on diabetes. SO was assessed using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. Propensity score matching (PSM), logistic regression, and mediation analysis were used to explore relationships between diabetes, SO, and health outcomes (falls, frailty, and disabilities).

RESULTS

Among 31,902 participants aged 60 and above, 14.26% had diabetes, and 17.67% of those with diabetes exhibited SO. Female gender (aOR = 2.63) and urban residence (aOR = 1.40) were significantly associated with higher odds of SO in individuals with diabetes. PSM analysis revealed a 9.0% higher likelihood of SO in older adults with DM than those without DM. SO was further linked to increased risk of falls, frailty, and various levels of activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) disabilities, with significant mediation effects ranging from 3.67% to 45.81%.

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes substantially increases the risk of SO and associated functional disability with the risk of falls in older adults. Standard diabetes care should integrate health promotion especially nutrition to mitigate the risk of SO-linked functional disability and falls.