Muscle weakness in the lower limbs is a common yet underrecognized complication in type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) may play a key role.

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice evaluated the impact of (DPN) on lower limb muscle strength in T2DM. Literature searches included MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL, identifying 25 studies for qualitative synthesis, and 23 studies (n = 2,798 participants) for meta-analysis.

Patients with DPN had significantly lower lower-limb muscle strength than those without DPN, with a standardized mean difference of −0.46 (95% CI −0.65 to −0.27). Most studies (72%) had a moderate risk of bias, and the certainty of evidence was graded as low.

The findings suggests that DPN contributes to reduced lower extremity strength, potentially affecting mobility and quality of life. Patients may require monitoring for muscle weakness. Further research should determine which muscle groups are most affected and identify key contributing factors.