Sarcopenia in Indian Males Having Clinically Significant Liver Fibrosis in Type 2 Diabetes: A Tertiary-Centre Cross-Sectional Study to Estimate the Prevalence and Associated Factors.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to measure the prevalence of sarcopenia in male individuals with type 2 diabetes having clinically significant liver fibrosis and to identify the determinants of sarcopenia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among male individuals aged 18-65 years with type 2 diabetes and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥8 kPa, as measured by transient elastography (FibroScan®). Individuals were divided into sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic groups using the 2019 Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria. RESULTS: Among 131 males with significant liver fibrosis in type 2 diabetes, 43 (32.8%) had sarcopenia. Between the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups, significant differences were observed in body weight (Kg) (62.6 vs 69.7, p < 0.001) the median duration of diabetes (months) (96 vs. 60, p = 0.008), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c, 8.8% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.007), and liver fibrosis (LSM score, 10.3 kPa vs. 9.8 kPa, p = 0.028). The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for liver fibrosis and body weight in the development of sarcopenia were 1.165 (95% CI, 1.051-1.292) and 0.933 (95% CI, 0.894-0.974), respectively. CONCLUSION: Individuals with sarcopenia had a longer duration of diabetes and poorer glycemic control; lower body weight and higher grades of liver fibrosis were independent factors contributing to the same.