Decreased muscle strength and thigh muscle area assessed with CT imaging in older Chinese adults with long duration of type 2 diabetes
Yuan Y, Li S, Yin L, Su Y, Guo Z, Liu Y, Blake GM, Wang L, Liu Y, Cheng X, Engelke K, Vlug AG (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
Book Volume: 29
Article Number: 100506
Journal Issue: 4
DOI: 10.1016/j.jnha.2025.100506
Abstract
Objective: We aimed to compare muscle strength, physical performance, and muscle parameters in non-diabetic and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) older adults and to determine the association of the duration of diabetes with these outcomes. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: The China Action on Spine and Hip Status study (CASH). Participants: 301 participants enrolled from a subcohort of CASH, of which 114 were diagnosed with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus, Measurements: We measured physical performance and muscle strength with the timed up-and-go test (TUG) and handgrip strength (HGS) and measured the area and density of the thigh, gluteus and trunk muscles (core muscles) using quantitative CT scans. Results: Participants with long-term (≥10 years) diabetes had a longer TUG (β coefficient: 0.64 [95% CI, 0.06, 1.22]; P = 0.030) and a lower HGS (−2.29 [−4.48, −0.10]; P = 0.041) as well as a lower muscle area of the thigh (−7.10 [−13.44, −0.76]; P = 0.028). The lower HGS among patients with long-term (≥10 years) diabetes was largely mediated by muscle area of the thigh (compared with non-diabetic controls: percentage mediated, 38.3%; P = 0.023; compared with <10 years diabetes: percentage mediated, 51.8%; P = 0.039). Conclusions: Older adults with long-term (≥10 years) diabetes had lower TUG and HGS than either non-diabetic participants, and the difference in HGS was largely mediated by a decrease in muscle area of the thigh muscles. Our finding suggested that long duration of diabetes, even in well-controlled subjects, may be associated with poor physical functions.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Beijing Jishuitan Hospital
China (CN)
University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)
China (CN)
Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital
China (CN)
King’s College London
United Kingdom (GB)
Leiden University Medical Center
Netherlands (NL)
China (CN)
University of Science and Technology of China (USTC)
China (CN)
Fuwai Cardiovascular Hospital
China (CN)
King’s College London
United Kingdom (GB)
Leiden University Medical Center
Netherlands (NL)
How to cite
APA:
Yuan, Y., Li, S., Yin, L., Su, Y., Guo, Z., Liu, Y.,... Vlug, A.G. (2025). Decreased muscle strength and thigh muscle area assessed with CT imaging in older Chinese adults with long duration of type 2 diabetes. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 29(4). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnha.2025.100506
MLA:
Yuan, Yi, et al. "Decreased muscle strength and thigh muscle area assessed with CT imaging in older Chinese adults with long duration of type 2 diabetes." Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging 29.4 (2025).
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