Abstract
BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia and frailty are multi-factorial conditions, but few studies have examined their prevalence among older adults with diabetes in the Indian subcontinent. This study aimed to estimate prevalence of sarcopenia and frailty in ambulatory patients ≥65 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Sarcopenia was assessed utilizing the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria. Frailty was assessed using the Fried Frailty phenotype criteria. The study enrolled ambulatory participants aged 65 years and above with T2DM visiting the outpatient clinic. Patients with degenerative or inflammatory arthritis of the lower limbs, disabling cerebrovascular accidents, Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive impairment, as well as those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic liver disease, or chronic kidney disease were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Among the 100 outpatients meeting the inclusion criteria, sarcopenia was present in 30% (including 17% with severe sarcopenia). Frailty was present in 27%, pre-frailty in 59%, and 14% were classified as robust. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a high prevalence of both sarcopenia and frailty among older adults with T2DM. Routine screening for these conditions may facilitate early identification and intervention in this high-risk population.