Spatiotemporal and kinematic gait characteristics in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with and without sarcopenia

Aims To investigate the differences in gait characteristics between older patients with type 2 diabetes with and without sarcopenia, using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 38 patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥ 65 years and capable of independently performing activities of daily living. Participants’ demographic data, spatiotemporal gait parameters, and ranges of motion of the pelvis, hip, knee, and ankle joints during a gait cycle were collected. Results: The participants were classified into sarcopenic (n = 15) and non-sarcopenic (n = 23) groups and compared. Significant reductions in walking speed, shorter stride lengths, longer stride time, stance and double support times, and decreased cadence were observed in participants with sarcopenia. In addition, participants with sarcopenia exhibited a significantly smaller range of motion for ankle joint plantar dorsiflexion. Conclusions: In patients with type 2 diabetes, gait characteristics differ depending on the presence or absence of sarcopenia. These findings may contribute to the development of new qualitative assessment methods to facilitate the timely detection of sarcopenia in this patient population.