Association Between Relative Quadriceps Strength and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Older Adults: The Yangpyeong Cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study.

Background: To examine the independent and combined association between relative quadriceps strength and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in older adults.

Methods: Among 1441 Korean older adults aged ≥65 years (71 [4.7] y) recruited between 2007 and 2016, 1055 older adults with no history of myocardial infarction, stroke, or cancer were included in the analysis. Cases of T2DM were identified by self-reported physician diagnosis, use antihyperglycemic medication or insulin, or fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dL. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of T2DM by quartiles of relative quadriceps strength.

Results: There were 162 T2DM cases (15%). Compared with the lowest quartile (weakest), the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of T2DM were 0.56 (0.34-0.90), 0.60 (0.37-0.96), and 0.47 (0.28-0.80) in the second, third, and fourth quartiles, respectively, after adjusting for possible confounders, including body mass index. In the joint analysis, compared with the "weak and overweight/obese" group, the odds (odds ratios [95% confidence intervals]) of T2DM was only lower in the "strong and normal weight" group (0.36 [0.22-0.60]) after adjusting for possible confounders.

Conclusions: Greater relative quadriceps strength is associated with reduced odds of T2DM in older adults after adjusting for potential confounders including body mass index.