Sarcopenia in Asian Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Growing Concern

Written By : Dr. Shravani Dali Published On 2025-11-10T08:00:33+05:30 | Updated On 10 Nov 2025 8:00 AM IST

A recent meta-analysis published in Journal of Diabetes Investigation by Xie et al. (2025) highlights the increasing burden of sarcopenia among Asian adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study found that sarcopenia, a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, affects between 13% and 17% of middle-aged and older individuals with T2DM across Asia. The highest prevalence was observed in Southeast Asia, where rates reached 28%, including countries such as India. The authors noted that sarcopenia is not merely a byproduct of aging but is significantly linked to metabolic complications associated with diabetes. These findings emphasize the urgent need for clinicians to integrate muscle health assessment into routine diabetes management, especially in regions with a rapidly aging population.

The study identified several key factors contributing to the development of sarcopenia in diabetic individuals. Older age, higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, greater body fat percentage, and the presence of diabetic complications such as nephropathy and neuropathy were all associated with an increased risk. Specifically, patients with diabetic neuropathy were over three times more likely to develop sarcopenia. These associations suggest that poor glycemic control and long-term metabolic damage play a major role in accelerating muscle decline. Interestingly, the research also indicated that the use of metformin and adequate nutritional intake appeared to offer protective effects against sarcopenia, suggesting that both pharmacological and dietary interventions may help mitigate this risk.

The authors concluded that early identification and prevention of sarcopenia should become a clinical priority in the management of type 2 diabetes across Asia. Routine screening for muscle strength and composition, combined with personalized lifestyle strategies such as resistance training and optimized protein intake, could help reduce the long-term impact of sarcopenia on functional independence and quality of life. Given the high prevalence and its serious implications, healthcare systems in Asia must address sarcopenia as a key component of diabetes care rather than a secondary complication.

Keywords: Sarcopenia, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Muscle mass, Asian population, Glycemic control, Metformin, Diabetic complications

Reference: Xie, W., Zhang, C., Lin, L., Wang, X., & Zhang, J. (2025). Prevalence and risk factors of sarcopenia in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis. Journal of Diabetes Investigation. Wiley Online Library. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdi.701

SarcopeniaType 2 diabetes mellitusMuscle massAsian populationGlycemic controlMetfo

Source : Journal of Diabetes Investigation

Dr. Shravani Dali

Dr. Shravani Dali has completed her BDS from Pravara institute of medical sciences, loni. Following which she extensively worked in the healthcare sector for 2+ years. She has been actively involved in writing blogs in field of health and wellness. Currently she is pursuing her Masters of public health-health administration from Tata institute of social sciences. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in.