Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity in Asian-Indian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Established Cardiovascular Disease: A Pilot Study of Prevalence

Purpose To determine the prevalence of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity (SO) in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and established cardiovascular disease (CVD). Methods This cross-sectional study included 60 T2DM patients (30 with CVD and 30 without, aged 40-70 years, 80% males). Data collection included body composition analysis using bio-impedance, hand grip strength measurement and gait-speed assessment. Sarcopenia was defined using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS-19) guidelines, while SO was defined using a body-mass index, waist circumference and percentage of body fat. SPSS software version 23.0 was used. P < .05 was significant. Results Overall sarcopenia (including possible sarcopenia or sarcopenia) was found to be significantly higher in patients with CVD as compared to those without CVD (70% vs. 40%; P = .020). Although numerically greater (in patients with CVD), no statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence of SO (30% vs. 16.7%; P = .222). Conclusion Our study found that the prevalence of overall sarcopenia was significantly higher in patients with T2DM and CVD compared to those without CVD. Sarcopenia appears to be a potential independent risk factor in predicting risk of CVD in patients with T2DM.