The effect of blood glucose regulation to the parameters of sarcopenia in patients with type ii diabetes and sarcopenic obesity

BACKGROUND: In recent years the prevalance of obesity and diabetes is increasing in Turkey as well as all over the world. As a result hypertension, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is more common as many health problems. Sarcopenia is one of the important geriatric syndromes and is defined as a reduction in age-related muscle mass, strength and function. AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of blood glucose regulation to sarcopenia parameters in a 6-month follow-up sarcopenic obese and diabetic pateints with poor blood glucose regulation. METHODS: 147 patients over 60 years old with sarcopenia according to The European Working Group on sarcopenia in Older People criteria were enrolled to the study. The subject's body mass index was > 30 kg/m2 and blood glucose regulation was poor (HbA1c > 8). Patients' walking speed, muscle strength and muscle mass were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups according to HbA1c levels six months after treatment of diabetes mellitus and sarcopenia parameters were re-evaluated. RESULTS: 60 patients with HbA1c levels <8, 45 patients with HbA1c levels > 8 were detected at sixth month follow-up. In group with HbA1c <8 the parameters we used in the diagnosis of sarcopenia such as gait speed, muscle mass and hand strength were increased and but in all of these changes muscle mass was just significant (p = 0.041). There was not a significant change in the parameters of sarcopenia in group with HbA1c levels above 8. A negative correlation was determined between muscle mass and HbA1c levels in both of groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that lowering HbA1c levels may have positive effects on muscle mass even in diabetic and sarcopenic obese elderly individuals.