Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the sarcopenia risk factors and the association between metformin use and sarcopenia in female patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) through a cross-sectional analysis of data from the UK Biobank. METHODS: In a cross-sectional analysis of 7,731 women with T2DM from the UK Biobank, participants were categorized into nonsarcopenia, probable sarcopenia, and sarcopenia groups based on the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) criteria. Logistic regression models were employed to investigate the association between metformin use and sarcopenia, adjusting for age, education, physical activity, and comorbidities. RESULTS: The prevalence of probable sarcopenia and sarcopenia was 16.2% and 3.4%, respectively, with rates increasing with age. Metformin use was significantly associated with a higher risk of sarcopenia (adjusted OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.01-1.26). This association remained consistent across various subgroups, including different age ranges and levels of physical activity. CONCLUSION: Metformin use was cross-sectionally associated with higher odds of sarcopenia, particularly in older women with low physical activity and comorbidities. These findings highlight the need for further longitudinal and mechanistic studies to confirm the relationship and explore potential underlying mechanisms.