Evaluation of the Relationship Between Sarcopenia and the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in Elderly Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Aim: We sought to evaluate the association of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), which assesses nutritional status, and sarcopenia among older individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: We enrolled 292 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients aged 60 years and above in this cross-sectional study. This study took place at Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey) between April 2024 and December 2024. European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People-2 (EWGSOP2) criteria were used to define sarcopenia. The relationship between sarcopenia and GNRI was investigated by logistic regression models. Results: The average age was 72 years (range: 60–99). Of the 292 patients, 139 were male and 153 were female. Macrovascular complications and microvascular complications, such as neuropathy and nephropathy, were more common in sarcopenic patients. Low GNRI (< 98) was observed to be more in sarcopenic patients (p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed an association between sarcopenia and neuropathy (p = 0.002) and macrovascular complications (p = 0.038). Conclusions: Sarcopenia was more common in elderly type 2 diabetic patients with low GNRI. Our study emphasizes the high rate of malnutrition among sarcopenic patients, with a need for regular screening programs and the determination of elderly subjects requiring nutritional support. GNRI may serve as a screening indicator for the detection of malnutrition and sarcopenia in older diabetic individuals who are hospitalized.