Distribution of lean mass and mortality risk in patients with type 2 diabetes

Aims: The aim of the study is to evaluate the association of distribution of lean mass with the risk of all-cause mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The present cohort study included 2 335 patients with type 2 diabetes. Lean mass was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Cox proportional hazards regressions were used to estimate the association of lean mass distribution on the risk of mortality. Results: The average age of the patients was 58 years at baseline and 51.4% of patients were women. During a median follow-up of 4.31 years, 128 patients died. The multivariable-adjusted hazards ratios for all-cause mortality were 1.00, 1.63 (0.89-2.99), and 2.68(1.51-4.76) across the tertiles of android-to-gynoid lean mass ratio (P for trend < 0.001), respectively. The positive association of android-to-gynoid lean mass ratio with the risk of all-cause mortality was present among patients of different ages, body mass index >= 24 kg/m2, hemo-globin A1c >= 7.0%, nonsmokers, men, patients using insulin, and patients with diabetes durations of more than 10 years. Conclusions: Higher android-to-gynoid lean mass ratio, assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, was significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Automated summary

The distribution of lean mass is associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. A higher android-to-gynoid lean mass ratio is significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality.