Physical performance and muscle strength in older patients with and without diabetes from a public hospital in Lima, Peru

Endocrinol Nutr. 2016 May;63(5):220-9. doi: 10.1016/j.endonu.2015.12.008. Epub 2016 Mar 5.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: To assess the relationship between physical performance (PP) and muscle strength (MS) in elderly subjects with and without diabetes in a public hospital of Lima, Peru.

Subjects and method: A cross-sectional analysis of subjects aged 60 years or older with and without diabetes. MS was measured with a handheld dynamometer, and PP with the «timed get-up-and-go» test. Nutritional status was determined using body mass index, body fat percentage measured with a handheld fat loss monitor and protein intake based on the 24-hour recall. Age, sex, and history of hospitalization and supplementation were also recorded. The association was assessed using adjusted prevalence ratios.

Results: Overall, 139 patients with diabetes (26.6% with low PP and 13.7% with decreased MS) and 382 subjects without diabetes (36.6% with low PP and 23.0% with decreased MS) were evaluated. No association was found between T2DM and MS (aPR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.67-1.57) or PP (aPR: 1.13; 95% CI: 0.84-1.52). Protein and supplement consumption was also unrelated (P>.05); however, history of hospitalization, age, sex, nutritional status, and body fat percentage were related (P>.05).

Conclusions: No association was found between T2DM, MS, and PP. However, low PP was associated to female sex and overweight/obesity, and decreased MS was associated to high body fat percentage and underweight. Moreover, MS and PP were related to older age and history of hospitalization.

Keywords: Actividad motora; Adulto mayor; Debilidad muscular; Diabetes mellitus; Frail elderly; Mobility limitation; Muscle weakness; Peru; Perú.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Body Composition
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology*
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Hospitals, Public
  • Humans
  • Inpatients / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Strength Dynamometer
  • Muscle Strength*
  • Muscle Weakness / epidemiology
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology
  • Obesity / complications
  • Obesity / epidemiology
  • Peru
  • Physical Fitness*
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Dietary Proteins