Association between hemoglobin and low muscle mass in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: Low hemoglobin (Hb) levels are related to malnutrition and can lead to dysfunction and physical disability. T2DM is more likely to develop low muscle mass. This study is performed to evaluate the association between hemoglobin and low muscle mass in T2DM patients. Method This cross-sectional study recruited 1054 inpatients in Qilu Hospital (Qingdao). Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Hb was detected by automatic blood cell analyzer. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine the risk factors for low muscle mass. Result 119 male subjects (20.3%) and 60 female subjects (12.6%) had low muscle mass in T2DM patients. Hb was correlated with a decreased risk of low muscle mass in both genders. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that SMI was associated with age, HbA1c, and Hb in male subjects. While in female subjects, SMI was associated with age, SBP, and Hb. In male participants, Hb was positively correlated with SMI after multivariate adjustment. Hb was positively correlated with SMI when Hb was ≤ 136. However, the correlation was not statistically significant when Hb was > 136. In addition, Hb was correlated with SMI after multivariate analysis in female subjects. When Hb was > 122, Hb was positively correlated with SMI. Hb was negatively correlated with SMI when Hb was ≤ 122, however, the association was not statistically significant. Conclusion Hb is inversely correlated with the presence of low muscle mass in T2DM patients.