Evidence mapPaperPMID 42564161Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in nutrition2026

Prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in adult patients with diabetes and associated factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Zixue Gu, Changwei Mou, Feng Chen, Ke Zhou, Qingyun Li, Shan Fu, Zheng Shi, Shiyun Li, Rong Peng

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in nutrition, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Zixue Gu *School of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Nursing, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Changwei Mou *School of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Nursing, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Feng ChenSchool of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Nursing, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Ke ZhouSchool of Basic Medical Sciences & School of Nursing, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Qingyun LiClinical Medical College & Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Shan FuClinical Medical College & Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Zheng ShiClinical Medical College & Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Shiyun LiClinical Medical College & Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
Rong PengClinical Medical College & Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu University, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity (SO) among adults with diabetes and summarize associated factors. Methods: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, seven databases, including MEDLINE via PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and VIP, were searched from inception to 25 June 2026, for peer-reviewed observational studies published in English or Chinese. Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and quality appraisal. For overlapping populations, the most recent and comprehensive report was retained. The pooled prevalence of SO was estimated using a random-effects model in Stata 18.0. Subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses were performed, and associated factors were summarized descriptively. Results: Thirty-four observational studies published between 2013 and 2026 were included. The pooled prevalence of SO among adults with diabetes was 24% (95% confidence interval: 19-29%), with substantial heterogeneity. Higher prevalence estimates were observed among community-dwelling patients (29%), female patients (28%), individuals in North America (29%), studies using bioelectrical impedance analysis for muscle mass measurement (25%), studies applying criteria based on muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function (27%), and studies defining obesity by body mass index (25%) or waist circumference (23%). Reported factors associated with SO or SO-related body composition phenotypes included body mass index, fat mass index, limb fat mass, and A Body Shape Index ≥ 0.083; low serum irisin levels (<9.49 ng/mL) and poorer glycemic control or higher glycated hemoglobin levels; and older age, smaller calf circumference, lower handgrip strength, low physical activity, insulin use, and diabetes-related complications. Conclusion: Approximately one quarter of adults with diabetes are affected by SO, indicating a substantial clinical and public health burden. The prevalence of SO varied by patient source, sex, geographic region, assessment method, and diagnostic criteria, highlighting the need for standardized assessment. The reported associated factors suggest that SO is closely associated with adiposity, glycemic metabolism, physical function, and diabetes-related clinical characteristics. These findings support targeted screening, early identification, and integrated management to improve SO detection and reduce potential adverse outcomes. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251274126, identifier PROSPERO (CRD420251274126).

Indexed as

body compositiondiabetes mellitusdiagnostic criteriahandgrip strengthmuscle massobesity phenotype

Identifiers

PMID42564161
PMCPMC13442009

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.