Muscle oxygen saturation stratification by photoacoustic imaging in diabetic sarcopenia: Association with disease status.

Sarcopenia, commonly observed in diabetes, is characterized by reduced muscle mass and function. However, the relationship between muscle oxygen saturation (SO₂) and sarcopenia remains unclear.

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) offers a promising method for assessment. This study aimed to evaluate SO₂ distribution in diabetic sarcopenic patients using PAI and explore associations with clinical parameters.

Type 2 diabetes patients (≥ 10 years) underwent PAI of the gastrocnemius and vastus lateralis muscles. Sarcopenia was diagnosed by AWGS 2019/2020 criteria.

SO₂ values stratified patients into hypoxia, intermediate, and hyperoxia groups. The study included 64 sarcopenic and 115 non-sarcopenic patients.

Mean SO₂ was significantly lower in sarcopenia (63.28 % vs. 66.26 %, P < 0.001). PAI-measured SO₂ was an independent protective factor (β = -0.10, P = 0.001).

In conclusion, PAI-assessed SO₂ is associated with sarcopenia and may serve as an early screening biomarker.

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