Sarcopenic Index and Related Factors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Sarcopenia, characterized by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, is particularly common in individuals with T2DM and is often associated with insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. The Sarcopenia Index (SI), calculated as serum creatinine divided by serum cystatin C, is a practical tool for assessing sarcopenia and is used in many clinical settings. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between sarcopenic index and variables such as age, diabetes duration, diabetes control and complication-related parameters such as NT-proBNP and Fib4 score in patients with type 2 diabetes.

This study was planned retrospectively. Between September 01, 2023 and March 31, 2024, the records of patients who presented to the Diabetes Outpatient Clinic of Goztepe Prof. Dr. Suleyman Yalcin City Hospital for Internal Medicine and whose routine biochemical tests (including NT-proBNP and cystatin C) were found in the system will be retrospectively reviewed. Both male and female patients with a definite diagnosis of type 2 diabetes were included in the study. Inclusion criteria included: age 40 years or older, age 85 years or younger, no acute infection, no steroid use, no acute changes in creatinine or cystatin C levels, no recent surgery, no limb loss. Demographic data included age, gender, duration of diabetes, medications and concomitant diseases. The Fib 4 score was calculated using the patients' routine biochemical and hematologic results. The sarcopenia index was calculated from the serum creatinine/cystatin C values. A cut-off value of 0.90 is normally used for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in people without diabetes, but there is no cut-off value for patients with diabetes. Therefore, in addition to the correlation, the SI value was divided into 3 groups and the patients in the lowest and highest groups were compared with each other.