Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Sarcopenia Among Diabetic Patients Attending Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Centre in Kerala, India

Authors

• Vysakh TS, Family Physician, St. Joseph’s Hospital Trust, Manjummel, Kochi, Kerala, India
• Ajas SN, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Mount Zion Medical College, Adoor, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India AND PhD Scholar, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University, Puducherry, IndiaFollow
• Asha Raby N, Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Muthoot College of Allied Health Sciences, Kozhencherry, Kerala, India AND PhD Scholar, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth University, Puducherry, India

Article Type

Article

Abstract

Background: Sarcopenia is a progressive skeletal muscle disorder increasingly seen in individuals with diabetes, leading to functional decline and poor quality of life. Despite Kerala's high diabetes burden, sarcopenia remains underrecognized. This study assessed knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding sarcopenia among diabetic patients and examined inter-domain relationships. Methods: A 6-month institutional cross-sectional study was conducted in the Family Medicine outpatient department of St. Joseph's Hospital Trust, Kochi. Using consecutive sampling, 154 diabetic patients (type 1 or 2) aged ≥ 40 years were enrolled. Data were collected using a pilot-tested questionnaire covering sociodemographic and clinical details, knowledge (12 items), attitude (8 Likert-scale items), and practice (7 items). Reliability was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha: knowledge 0.78, attitude 0.85, practice 0.72). Scores were categorized, and analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Among 170 approached, 154 participated (response rate 90.6%). Mean age was 64.2 ± 10.3 years; 55.2% were female. Awareness of sarcopenia was low (27.9%). Good knowledge (18.2%) and practice (22.1%) were limited, while 67.9% showed positive attitudes. Knowledge correlated with attitude (r = 0.42) and practice (r = 0.35), and attitude strongly correlated with practice (r = 0.58). Urban residence and higher education predicted better KAP outcomes. Conclusion: Diabetic patients demonstrated poor knowledge but favorable attitudes and moderate practices. Strengthening education and routine screening is essential.

Keywords

Sarcopenia, Diabetes mellitus, Knowledge-attitude-practice, Cross-sectional study, Kerala

Recommended Citation

TS, Vysakh; SN, Ajas; and N, Asha Raby (2026) "Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Sarcopenia Among Diabetic Patients Attending Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Care Centre in Kerala, India," Muthanna Medical Journal: Vol. 13: Iss. 2, Article 1.
Available at: https://muthmj.mu.edu.iq/journal/vol13/iss2/1

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.