Sarcopenia is a known complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), however its specific link with diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains unclear. A cross-sectional study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology evaluated the association between sarcopenia and DR risk in adults with T2DM along with the role of inflammatory biomarkers.
The analysis included 749 adults with T2DM and defined sarcopenia using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019, which included muscle mass, strength, and physical performance. DR was confirmed through ophthalmologic examination. Inflammatory biomarkers assessed were the neutrophil-percentage-to-albumin ratio (NPAR), advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI), and pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV).
Findings
- DR was present in 25% of participants.
- Sarcopenia was associated with DR in adults with T2DM (aOR 1.61; 95% CI: 1.14-2.26).
- Mediation analyses showed partial statistical contribution from inflammatory biomarkers.
- NPAR accounted for 13.44%, followed by PIV at 10.77% and ALI at 10.41%.
The findings suggest that sarcopenia is independently associated with DR in adults with T2DM. Blood-cell-based inflammatory biomarkers, including NPAR, ALI, and PIV, partially accounted for this relationship, although their role in clinical screening remains uncertain.
