Lower skeletal muscle mass is associated with diabetes and insulin resistance: A cross-sectional study

Aims: The association between skeletal muscle mass and diabetes incidence/insulin resistance/glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate such association in clinically apparently healthy males and females. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 372,399 Korean males and females who completed bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in a health-screening programme was performed. Skeletal muscle index was used as an indicator of skeletal muscle mass. Skeletal muscle index (%) [appendicular skeletal muscle mass (kg)/body weight (kg)X100] was estimated using BIA. The study outcomes were diabetes incidence, homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and HbA1C. Results: The mean age of study participants was 38.92. 8.54 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant negative association between Skeletal muscle index and diabetes incidence/HOMA-IR/HbA1C after adjusting for various confounding factors. Odds ratios (95% confidence interval (CI)) of diabetes incidence in Q2, Q3, and Q4 compared to the lowest quantile (Q1) were 0.95 (0.851.05), 0.88 (0.78-0.99), and 0.79 (0.69-0.9), respectively. Beta coefficients (95% CI) of HOMA-IR in Q2, Q3, and Q3 with Q1 were 0.05 (0.03-0.07), -0.06 (-0.09-0.04), and -0.19 (-0.22-0.16), respectively. Beta coefficients (95% CI) of HbA1C in Q2, Q3, and Q4 with Q1 were 0.02 (0.01-0.03), -0.001 (-0.010.01), and -0.02 (-0.03 -0.01), respectively. Conclusions: This study demonstrated negative associations of skeletal muscle mass with diabetes incidence, insulin resistance, and HbA1C levels in healthy adults.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the association between skeletal muscle mass and diabetes incidence/insulin resistance/glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C). A cross-sectional study of 372,399 clinically apparently healthy Korean males and females was conducted, and it revealed negative associations between skeletal muscle mass and diabetes incidence, insulin resistance, and HbA1C levels.