A low serum IGF-1 is correlated with sarcopenia in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Findings from a post-hoc analysis of the iDIAMOND study

Aim: Our previous study revealed that sarcopenia was frequently observed in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). However, the factors associated with sarcopenia that are related to T1DM have not yet been clarified. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) has been shown to play a role in skeletal muscle growth, differentiation, and regeneration. The present study, therefore, investigated the association between the serum IGF-1 level and sarcopenia and low skeletal muscle mass in subjects with T1DM. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled subjects with T1DM (n = 168) and without diabetes (n = 59) who had had their clinical data on serum IGF-1 collected in the iDIAMOND study. Results: The z-score of serum IGF-1 was significantly lower in the subjects with T1DM than that in those without diabetes (p < 0.001). Among subjects with T1DM, the z-score of serum IGF-1 was significantly lower in sarcopenic subjects than in non-sarcopenic subjects. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the serum IGF-1 z-score was an independent determinant of sarcopenia and a low skeletal muscle mass index, but not low grip strength nor slow gait speed in subjects with T1DM. Conclusions: A low serum IGF-1 level is correlated with sarcopenia and low skeletal muscle mass in subjects with T1DM. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In this study, it was found that serum IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in subjects with type 1 diabetes mellitus compared to those without diabetes. The study revealed a strong correlation between low serum IGF-1 levels and sarcopenia and low skeletal muscle mass in subjects with type 1 diabetes, independent of grip strength or gait speed.