Physical activity levels and some factors associated with sarcopenia among older diabetic patients

Tóm tắt

Objective: This study aims to describe the levels of physical activity and some factors associated with sarcopenia among older diabetic patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional  study  was  conducted  on 304 patients aged ≥60 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus at the National Geriatric Hospital in Vietnam, from March to December 2024. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and categorized as low, moderate, or high. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria, based on appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), handgrip strength and physical performance. Factors associated with sarcopenia were analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The mean age was 74,1±6,9 years, and 61,5% were women. The mean physical activity level was relatively low (693 MET-minutes/ week). The prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly higher in the low physical activity group compared to the moderate-to-high group (48,1% vs 27,8%, p<0,001). Multivariate analysis revealed independent associations between sarcopenia and age 70-79 years (OR=2,97; 95%CI: 1,37 – 6,45), ≥80 years (OR=4,40: 95%CI: 1,75 – 11,08), BMI ≤18,4kg/m² (OR=24,23; 95%CI: 3,89 – 151,12), BMI 18,5-22,9kg/m² (OR=21,68; 95%CI: 7,70 – 61,02), BMI 23,0-24,9 kg/ m² (OR=3,51; 95%CI: 1,23 – 10,05), living alone (OR=3,40; 95%CI: 1,09 – 10,61), HbA1c ≥7,0% (OR=1,92; 95%CI: 1,05 – 3,52), and ADL dependence (≤5 points) (OR=3,97; 95% CI: 1,03 – 15,25). Low physical activity level was not an independent factor associated with sarcopenia (OR = 1,99; p=0,06 in multivariate analysis). Conclusion: Reduced physical activity was not independently associated with sarcopenia, possibly due to confounding effects of age and BMI. Independent factors associated with sarcopenia include older age (≥70 years), lower BMI, poor glycemic control, living alone, and ADL dependence.