Sarcopenia in Middle-Aged Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Prevalence, Associated Factors and Relationship With Gonadal Hormones
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Background Sarcopenia is increasingly recognised as a complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), yet data among middle-aged adults with T2DM remain limited, particularly regarding its relationship with gonadal hormones. This study evaluated the prevalence of sarcopenia, its associated factors, and its relationship with gonadal hormones among adults aged 40–60 years with T2DM. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at a university hospital from February to July 2026. Participants were adults aged 40–60 years with T2DM for at least 12 months (n = 100). Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to revised European consensus on the definition and diagnosis of sarcopenia. Demographic, anthropometric, metabolic, body composition and gonadal hormone parameters were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with sarcopenia. Results The prevalence of sarcopenia was 13% (95% CI: 7.8–21.0%) (n = 13). Participants with sarcopenia were older and had numerically higher mean glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) over the preceding year. Hypogonadism was present in 46.2% of participants with sarcopenia and 31.0% of those without, with no significant association (COR 1.905, 95% CI 0.585–6.206; p = 0.285). Sex-stratified analyses showed higher sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations in both men and women with sarcopenia, while free androgen index was lower among women with sarcopenia. In multivariable analysis, older age (aOR 1.432, 95% CI: 1.116–1.838; p = 0.005) and higher mean HbA1c (aOR 1.567, 95% CI: 1.004–2.445; p = 0.048) were associated with greater odds of sarcopenia, whereas insulin use was inversely associated (aOR 0.081, 95% CI: 0.010–0.649; p = 0.018). Conclusions Sarcopenia was present in approximately one in eight middle-aged adults with T2DM in this single-centre study. Older age and poorer long-term glycaemic control were independently associated with sarcopenia, while hypogonadism was not statistically significant. Larger prospective studies are warranted to clarify the relationships between glycaemic control, gonadal hormones and muscle health in middle-aged adults with T2DM. Clinical trial number: not applicable
Source: Research Square
Institutions: Universiti Teknologi MARA System, Universiti Teknologi MARA
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225783654