HIGHER FOLLICLE STIMULATING HORMONE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH POOR HANDGRIP STRENGTH AND GAIT SPEED IN OLDER MEN WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Sarcopenia is characterised by age-related loss of muscle mass, strength and physical performance. It is accelerated in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM). Higher follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) reportedly contributes to muscle mass decline. The association between FSH with muscle strength and physical performance remains unknown. We aimed to investigate association between FSH and handgrip strength and gait speed in men with T2DM.

METHODOLOGY
We conducted a cross-sectional on male patients with T2DM. Serum FSH was measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Handgrip strength was measured using hand dynamometer and was low if <28 kg. Slow gait speed was defined as ≤0.8 m/s. Modified Poisson regression was used to examine relationship between FSH with handgrip strength and gait speed, adjusting for age and clinical covariates. This research has been approved by an ethical committee.

RESULTS
There were 100 patients with mean age 63.3 ± 7.3 years. Forty percent had low handgrip strength and 51% had slow gait speed. Univariate analysis showed that Tertile 3 FSH was associated with low handgrip strength and slow gait speed with corresponding relative risk (RR) 1.96 (95% CI 1.07-3.57; p=0.028) and 1.74 (95% CI 1.06-2.85; p=0.027) compared to Tertile 1 FSH. The association persisted in fully adjusted model with RR 1.88 (95% CI 1.02-3.43; p=0.042) and 1.80(95% CI 1.03-3.16; p=0.040) for low handgrip strength and slow gait speed respectively.

CONCLUSION
Elevated FSH, likely indicative of subclinical primary hypogonadism, was independently associated with low handgrip strength and slow gait speed. Hence FSH may potentially be used to identify risk of poor muscle strength and physical performance in men with T2DM.