The impact of diabetes on sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults in India: key findings from the longitudinal ageing study in India (LASI)

Background

Diabetes has become a major public health issue in India, and understanding its impact on skeletal muscle health is crucial for addressing the elevated risk of sarcopenia among individuals with diabetes. While the association between diabetes and sarcopenia has been extensively studied worldwide, there is a notable lack of research focusing on this relationship within the Indian community-dwelling geriatric population. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the influence of diabetes on sarcopenia among older adults living in community settings in India.

Methodology

The study used data from the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), Wave 1 (2017–18). It was focused on older adults aged 60 years and above living in community settings in India, including both males and females. This study followed the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia (2019) guidelines, utilizing a screening tool that assessed sarcopenia through muscle (handgrip) strength, physical performance, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM). The presence of diabetes was determined through a self-reported approach, where participants disclosed their diabetes diagnosis as provided by healthcare professionals. To examine the association between diabetes and sarcopenia, the study utilized logistic regression analysis to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Present study included 27,241 individuals, with sarcopenia prevalent in 27.0% of participants. 3.4% had both sarcopenia and diabetes, 23.5% had sarcopenia only, 11.7% had diabetes only, and 61.3% had neither. After adjusting for confounding variables, participants with diabetes had a significantly higher odds ratio of 1.14 (95% CI 1.06–1.26, p < 0.001) for sarcopenia.

Conclusions

The study established that diabetes is a risk factor for sarcopenia in older adults living in India. Early identification and management are essential to mitigate sarcopenia, emphasizing the importance of addressing both conditions in healthcare.