Functional fitness and risk factors of older patients with diabetes combined with sarcopenia and/or frailty: A cross‐sectional study

AIM: To learn the functional fitness levels in older adults with diabetes combined with sarcopenia and/or frailty. DESIGN: A cross‐sectional investigation study. METHODS: A total of 205 participants with type 2 diabetes were recruited from September 2019 to August 2020. All patients underwent diagnostic screening for sarcopenia and frailty, and were divided into combined group (the patients who had sarcopenia and/or frailty) and non‐combined group (the patient who had no sarcopenia and/or frailty). The diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia applied was proposed by the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia in 2019 and frailty status was assessed using FRAIL Scale. Functional fitness was measured using the Senior Fitness Test and compared between combined and non‐combined groups. Biochemical data of blood routine, glycolipid, and hepatorenal function tests were acquired from medical records. Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore the factors associated with the sarcopenia and/or frailty in the older adults with diabetes. RESULTS: Compared with non‐combined group, the participants in combined group exhibited shorter 6‐min walk distance, fewer repetitions of arm curls and chair stands, smaller back scratch and chair sit‐and‐reach values, and longer time in the 8‐ft up‐and‐go test. The patients in the combined group had significantly lower level of red blood cell, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and higher level of platelet and blood urea nitrogen. Apart from calf circumference, physical activity, and insulin injection treatment, 6‐min walk distance was the factor associated with diabetes combined with sarcopenia and/or frailty.