Meta-analysis of 7 studies found that the prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with diabetic foot ulcers was 31% (95% CI: 0.22-0.41), with longer diabetes duration significantly associated with sarcopenia risk.
The pooled prevalence of sarcopenia in patients with diabetic foot ulcers was 31%.
Longer diabetes duration was significantly associated with sarcopenia in patients with diabetic foot ulcers.
Evidence for factors other than diabetes duration associated with sarcopenia in diabetic foot patients was insufficient for meta-analysis.
The authors advocate for early sarcopenia screening and preventive strategies within comprehensive diabetic foot care.
This research synthesized data from 7 studies involving 1,164 patients with diabetic foot ulcers to determine how common sarcopenia (the medical term for significant loss of muscle mass and strength) is in this population, and what factors might be linked to it. The analysis found that nearly one in three patients with diabetic foot ulcers (31%) also had sarcopenia. This is notably higher than rates typically seen in the general older adult population, suggesting that having a diabetic foot ulcer may go hand-in-hand with substantial muscle deterioration. The study also found that patients who had lived with diabetes for a longer period of time were more than three times as likely to have sarcopenia compared to those with shorter diabetes duration. However, this particular finding came from only two studies, so the authors caution that it needs to be confirmed by more research. For other potential risk factors — such as nutritional status, physical activity, or other clinical variables — there was not enough combined data to draw firm conclusions. This research suggests that clinicians caring for patients with diabetic foot ulcers should be aware that muscle loss is a common and potentially underrecognized complication in this group. Screening patients for sarcopenia as part of routine diabetic foot care could help identify those at risk earlier, potentially allowing for interventions like nutritional support or exercise programs that might slow muscle loss and lead to better overall health outcomes. More and larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and to better understand all the factors that contribute to sarcopenia in this vulnerable population.
Hui W, Yaping Y, Tan L, Zhigang M, Xinyi D, Yinbo P, et al.. (2026). Prevalence and Associated Factors of Sarcopenia in Patients With Diabetic Foot Ulcers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. Journal of foot and ankle research. https://doi.org/10.1002/jfa2.70201