Heart Disease Mortality Risk Elevated by Reduced Muscle Mass in Diabetes Patients
In a recent presentation at the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Dr. Riley shared findings from a study that suggests a link between low muscle mass and an increased risk for various health problems in people with diabetes.
The study, which included 1,514 participants, did not differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It found that low muscle mass is associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease mortality, and the development of eye and nerve damage.
The study adjusted for several confounders in its multiple Cox regression analysis, including cancer history, high blood pressure, age, obesity, and alcohol consumption. However, it is important to note that the complete study has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Dr. Riley explains that low muscle mass in people with diabetes is primarily caused by insulin resistance, chronic hyperglycemia, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation. These factors impair muscle protein synthesis, increase muscle breakdown, and damage muscle cells, contributing to muscle degradation.
The study also had data on how long participants had had diabetes, average blood sugar levels measured by hemoglobin A1C, and if participants had particular nerve and eye damage.
Dr. Riley suggests that increasing muscle mass can boost the body's use of insulin and help people with diabetes manage blood sugar levels. Activities such as carrying heavy shopping bags, doing yoga, or gardening can help strengthen muscles.
Dr. Robert Gabbay, chief scientific and medical officer at the American Diabetes Association, finds the study's association between low muscle mass and increased cardiovascular risk in people with diabetes interesting.
However, it is important to note that the study cannot establish a causal relationship between low muscle mass and health outcomes. Additionally, the study only included data from individuals in the U.S., indicating that future research could include data from other countries.
The study utilized data from two different time periods, 1999 to 2006 and 2011 to 2018. Dr. Faye Riley, research communications manager at Diabetes UK, emphasizes the importance of addressing low muscle mass in older people with diabetes.
Health management for people with diabetes often involves working with several specialists to manage all conditions and promote well-being. Addressing muscle loss and hormonal health is therefore important in managing diabetes risk and progression.
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