| Objective To explore the independent influencing factors for sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A total of 155 T2DM patients aged≥50 years admitted to Jiangsu Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine between 2024 and 2025 were selected. They underwent body composition analysis, and outcome data were collected, including 44 cases in the sarcopenia group and 111 cases in the non-sarcopenia group. Potential influencing factors, including demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables, were also recorded. The data between the two groups were compared. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed, and Lasso regression was used for data dimensionality reduction and variable screening to evaluate the influencing factors for sarcopenia. A nomogram model was constructed using the rms package in R software. Calibration curves and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to validate the model's calibration and discriminative ability. Results Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of gender, age, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), dominant handgrip strength (DHS), calf circumference, five-times-sit-to-stand test time, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (all P<0.05). Higher BMI (adjusted OR=0.78; 95% CI:0.67-0.91; P=0.001) and higher DHS (adjusted OR=0.89; 95% CI:0.84-0.94; P<0.001) were independent protective factors against sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly T2DM patients. Higher HDL-C was an independent risk factor (adjusted OR=3.70; 95% CI:1.27-10.77; P=0.016). The nomogram prediction model showed good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test:2=8.136, P=0.403; calibration curve slope approaching 1) and excellent discriminative ability (Area Under the ROC Curve is 0.860, 95% CI:0.794-0.926). Conclusion In middle-aged and elderly T2DM patients, HDL-C is an independent risk factor for sarcopenia, while BMI and DHS are independent protective factors. The constructed nomogram model effectively predicts the risk of sarcopenia. |