Synergistic Effects of Diabetes and Sarcopenic Obesity on Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Chinese Adults

Strategic Insights -

Research on the synergistic effects of diabetes and sarcopenic obesity on cardiovascular disease risk in Chinese adults has been published. The study aimed to evaluate the individual and combined impacts of these two conditions on cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults. A total of 10,478 participants without baseline cardiovascular disease were followed for 9 years, and the results showed that the cumulative incidence of cardiovascular disease was significantly higher in the group with both conditions combined compared to the control group and the groups with either condition alone.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that the coexistence of diabetes and sarcopenic obesity synergistically increases cardiovascular disease risk beyond the effects of either condition alone in Chinese adults.
  • The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular disease was significantly higher in the group with both conditions combined (39.0%) compared to the control group (24.4%), diabetes alone (31.6%), and sarcopenic obesity alone (27.3%).
  • The study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and followed participants for 9 years.
  • The study identified 2,443 participants (23.3%) who developed cardiovascular disease during the follow-up period.
  • The study found that the coexistence of diabetes and sarcopenic obesity was associated with a 1.34-fold increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the control group.
  • Fang Wan and colleagues from the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University conducted the study.
  • The study was published in Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, a peer-reviewed journal.
  • The study was funded and supported by the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).
  • The study's findings highlight the importance of comprehensive screening and integrated management strategies for individuals with both diabetes and sarcopenic obesity to prevent cardiovascular complications.

Statistics:

  • 10,478 participants were included in the study.
  • 2,443 participants (23.3%) developed cardiovascular disease during the 9-year follow-up period.
  • The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular disease was 39.0% in the group with both conditions combined.
  • The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular disease was 24.4% in the control group.
  • The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular disease was 31.6% in the group with diabetes alone.
  • The cumulative incidence of cardiovascular disease was 27.3% in the group with sarcopenic obesity alone.
  • The hazard ratio for cardiovascular disease was 1.11 (95% CI: 0.96-1.29) for diabetes alone, 1.05 (95% CI: 0.94-1.17) for sarcopenic obesity alone, and 1.34 (95% CI: 1.10-1.63, P = 0.004) for both conditions combined.

Sources:

  • Wan, F., et al. (2025). Synergistic effects of diabetes and sarcopenic obesity on cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults: a large-scale prospective cohort study. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 37(1), 285.
  • CHARLS. (n.d.). China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study.
  • First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University. (n.d.). Department of Endocrinology.