Multimodal treatment program for elderly diabetic patients with sarcopenia improves the muscle strength and physical function

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a multimodal treatment program on the muscle strength, physical function, and skeletal muscle mass in elderly diabetic patients with sarcopenia. METHODS: Diabetic patients over 65 years old attending the Department of Diabetes and Metabolism, Ise Red Cross Hospital, were included. The diagnosis of sarcopenia was based on the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019. The measurement of extremity skeletal muscle mass was assessed by the multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance method, muscle strength was assessed by the grip strength, and the physical function was assessed by the 5-time chair stand test. The muscle strength, physical function, extremity skeletal muscle mass, and other parameters were assessed before and after 12 weeks of the multimodal treatment program (optimization of protein intake, resistance training, and patient education on sarcopenia) and then compared. Paired t-tests were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (3 men and 11 women) were included in the analysis of this study. The mean age was 74.4±4.7 years old. Significant improvements in the grip strength (male, 23.2±5.6 kg to 25.6±5.5 kg, P=0.014; female, 15.5±5.0 kg to 18.9±5.0 kg, P<0.001) and 5-time chair stand test (11.2±2.5 seconds to 8.6±1.7 seconds, P=0.002) were found with the multimodal treatment program. There was also a significant decrease in HbA1c (8.1±0.7% to 7.7±0.9%, P=0.004). However, although an increasing trend in the amount of extremity skeletal muscle mass was noted, there was no significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: A multimodal treatment program for elderly diabetic patients with sarcopenia showed an improvement in the muscle strength and physical function.