Relationship between skeletal muscle mass and glycemic parameters in individuals with young-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Young-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an increasingly prevalent condition characterized by rapid progression. Apart from adipose tissue, there has been growing attention to the relationship between T2DM and total body skeletal muscle mass (SMM). Aim: This study investigated the relationships between body composition indicators and glycemic parameters in young-onset T2DM patients versus young, healthy adults, aiming to identify predictive markers with optimal cutoff values for the early identification of young-onset T2DM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 252 participants aged 18–40 years, including 96 young-onset T2DM patients and 156 non-T2DM individuals. Glycemic parameters and body composition variables were assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis. Statistical analysis included correlation, multiple logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to determine optimal SMM% cutoff values for young-onset T2DM prediction. Results: The SMM% displayed a significant negative correlation with HbA1c (p = − 0.624) and FBG (p = − 0.656). VF demonstrated a positive correlation with both HbA1c (p = 0.636) and FBG (p = 0.580). Logistic regression analysis identified SMM, VF, and subcutaneous fat as significant predictors of HbA1c levels. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed gender-specific SMM% cutoff values of 23.14% for females and 28.6% for males, with high sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: Reduced SMM% and increased VF are significant predictors of young-onset T2DM. The study established the optimal gender-specific cutoff value of SMM% for identifying individuals at risk of young-onset T2DM in the Indian population. Incorporating body composition assessments into clinical practice may facilitate early detection and targeted interventions.