SKELETAL MUSCLE: ONE OF THE SILENT TARGETS OF DIABETIC COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objective: Muscle weakness in diabetes has been considered a rare manifestation associated with severe diabetic neuropathy. However, similar
findings are lacking in individuals with early diabetes. Handgrip strength is a reliable measurement of the disability index. The present study was
designed to determine the effect of early Type 2 diabetes on handgrip strength in adults by handgrip dynamometer.
Methods: 30 subjects with diabetes (1-5 years duration) were taken as case, and thirty age and sex-matched subjects without diabetes were taken
as controls. Subjects with hypertension, heart diseases, and neuromuscular disorders were excluded. Skeletal muscle function was determined using
hand grip dynamometer. Maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was measured thrice and best of that it was taken. For endurance time (ET) 50% of
MVC was taken. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and random blood sugar testing was done.
Results: Compared to controls, cases had decreased mid forearm circumference (23.97±1.7 cm vs. 23.8±2.7 cm, p<0.005). MVC and ET were also
significantly reduced in cases when compared with control subjects (MVC, 32.46±6.865 kg vs. 22.48±4.420 kg, p<0.025) and ET (44.57±17.294 seconds
vs. 16.63±9.810 seconds, p<0.022).
Conclusion: Our study suggests that there is a decline in skeletal muscle strength in type 2 diabetes even before the disease manifests severely.
This provides evidence that impaired grip strength is associated with adverse metabolic profile, in addition, to the loss of physical function, and the
potential for grip strength to be used in the clinical setting needs to be explored.
Keywords: Skeletal muscle function, Handgrip, Diabetes, Endurance time, Maximum voluntary contraction.