Decreased serum musclin concentration is independently associated with the high prevalence of sarcopenia in Chinese middle‐elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Sarcopenia is a complication of diabetes mellitus, which can increase hospitalization and lead to poor outcomes. The present study investigated the relationship between the serum musclin concentration and the sarcopenia morbidity in Chinese middle–elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: We recruited 220 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, all of whom completed gait speed, handgrip strength tests, and whole‐body dual‐energy x‐ray measurements to calculate the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI). The patients were divided into sarcopenia (n = 110) and non‐sarcopenia groups (n = 110). The serum musclin concentration was measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The serum musclin concentration was significantly lower in the sarcopenia group (712.82 pg/mL) than in the non‐sarcopenia group (922.53 pg/mL). The serum musclin concentration positively correlated with the whole‐body skeletal mass (r = 0.230; P = 0.001). Sarcopenia morbidity declined as the quartile of serum musclin concentration increased (P = 0.001), and a negative correlation was observed between the serum musclin concentration and the prevalence of sarcopenia (odds ratio = 0.998, P = 0.001). The correlation remained when quartiles were considered. CONCLUSIONS: The serum musclin concentration is an independent protective factor for sarcopenia in Chinese middle‐elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.