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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Endocrinol.
Sec. Clinical Diabetes
Volume 16 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1367386
This article is part of the Research Topic Novel Insights into the Pathophysiology of Diabetes-related Complications: Implications for Improved Therapeutic Strategies, Volume II View all 37 articles

Poor lower extremity function may lead to higher risk of subsequent diabetes: A new perspective for blood glucose homeostasis

Provisionally accepted
Shixing FENG Shixing FENG 1Junqi Wang Junqi Wang 2Hangyu LI Hangyu LI 3Tianyi Wang Tianyi Wang 4Yafeng Liang Yafeng Liang 5Pengfei He Pengfei He 1Weiguang Wang Weiguang Wang 6*Jialin Liu Jialin Liu 1Xiaoming Xing Xiaoming Xing 2Shuangqing Zhai Shuangqing Zhai 6*Jinmin Liu Jinmin Liu 1*Dongran Han Dongran Han 3*Chaohui Yin Chaohui Yin 7
  • 1 Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, Beijing, China
  • 2 Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
  • 3 School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
  • 4 School of Management, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
  • 5 School of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Tuina, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
  • 6 School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
  • 7 College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background: This study aimed at clarifying the potential causal association between diabetes and lower extremity function (LEF).The study included a total of 3509 participants from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). LEF was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The classification of normoglycemia, prediabetes, and diabetes at both baseline and followup was based on the criteria set by the American Diabetes Association (ADA). To analyze the data, generalized linear mixed model regression analysis was employed, yielding odds ratios (ORs) along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Cross-lagged panel models were utilized to investigate the potential causal association between lower extremity function and diabetes over time.Results: Compared to individuals with high SPPB level at baseline, those with low SPPB level at baseline exhibited a higher likelihood of experiencing diabetes progression [OR (95% CI): 1.59 (1.13, 2.23); P < 0.01]. The baseline SPPB score was also associated with subsequent fasting plasma glucose [β (95% CI): 0.071 (-0.110, -0.036); P < 0.001] and hemoglobin A1c [β (95% CI): 0.039 (-0.072, -0.007); P < 0.001]. The impact of baseline lower extremity function on subsequent fasting plasma glucose (χ2 = 11.075, P < 0.01) and hemoglobin A1c (χ2 = 4.254, P < 0.05) demonstrated a significantly larger effect size compared to the reverse effect.Poor LEF could serve as an independent predictor of prediabetes or diabetes risk in the elderly. And improving LEF may help reducing the risk of prediabetes or diabetes in this population.

    Keywords: Lower Extremity Function, diabetes, the elderly, Short physical performance battery, Cross-lagged panel model

    Received: 08 Jan 2024; Accepted: 06 Jan 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 FENG, Wang, LI, Wang, Liang, He, Wang, Liu, Xing, Zhai, Liu, Han and Yin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence:
    Weiguang Wang, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
    Shuangqing Zhai, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
    Jinmin Liu, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100078, Beijing, China
    Dongran Han, School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.