The bidirectional relationship between diabetes and poor muscle function in older adults: data from two...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Diseases

Background:

• Skeletal muscle dysfunction is a major cause of disability in older adults, particularly those with diabetes.
• Diabetes is a common complication in the elderly, significantly impacting mobility and quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between diabetes and the rate of muscle strength decline in older adults.
• To determine if lower baseline muscle strength predicts a higher incidence of diabetes in the elderly population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective analysis of data from two Italian population-based studies (Invecchiare in Chianti and Progetto Veneto Anziani).
• Diabetes status assessed using multiple sources at baseline and two follow-ups (median 4.4 and 6.3 years).
• Muscle function measured by handgrip strength.

Main Results:

• Individuals with diabetes experienced a steeper decline in muscle strength compared to those without diabetes, even after adjusting for confounders.
• The association between diabetes and muscle strength decline was more pronounced in individuals using oral antidiabetic medications.
• Higher handgrip strength relative to body weight was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of developing incident diabetes over a median 5-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

• A significant, independent, and circular relationship exists between diabetes and skeletal muscle strength in older adults.
• Muscle dysfunction may represent a long-term complication of diabetes in the elderly.
• The potential for interventions aimed at increasing muscle strength to mitigate diabetes risk warrants further investigation.