Relationships between Upper Limb, Lower Limb and Trunk Muscle Mass and Insulin Resistance in Male Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the relationship between upper limb, lower limb, trunk muscle mass and insulin resistance in male patients with type 2 diabetes. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 136 male patients with type 2 diabetes. The upper limb muscle mass (ULM), lower limb muscle mass (LLM) and trunk muscle mass (TM) were divided by body weight (Wt) and their relationships with the homeostasis model assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were investigated. [Results] HOMA-IR showed significant negative correlations with ULM/Wt, LLM/Wt, and TM/Wt in all patients and the obese group. However, there was no significant correlation with ULM/Wt in the non-obese group. The area under curve (AUC) cut-off values for HOMA-IR of LLM/Wt and TM/Wt were higher than that of ULM/Wt. [Conclusion] The finding suggests that LLM/Wt or TM/Wt are indicators of insulin resistance in male patients with type 2 diabetes.