Low rectus femoris mass index is closely associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy

To assess the association of rectus femoris mass index (RFMI) with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Totally 948 T2DM cases were enrolled. Nerve conduction parameters, quantitative sensory threshold and rectus femoris cross-sectional area (RFCSA) were obtained, and rectus femoris mass index (RFMI=RFCSA/height²) was derived. The patients were assigned to four groups based on interquartile spacing of RFMI.

Motor/sensory nerve amplitude and conduction velocity (CV) were significantly lower in the low-level RFMI groups (all P<0.05). RFMI was positively associated with mean motor/sensory nerve amplitude and CV (both P<0.05). T2DM duration above 10 years and RFMI below 2.37cm²/m² had significant associations with DPN (both P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated cutoffs for T2DM duration and RFMI of 7 years and 2.2 cm²/m², respectively (AUC=0.75, 95% CI: 0.72-0.79; sensitivity, 68.4%; specificity, 66.8%).

DPN is significantly associated with reduced RFMI in T2DM patients. Decreased muscle mass seems to be associated with motor/sensory nerve amplitude and CV. RFMI combined with T2DM duration may represent a potent tool for predicting DPN occurrence in T2DM cases.

http://www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100049150.