Abstract: Sarcopenia, also known as skeletal muscle reduction, is one of the common clinical complications of old patients with diabetes, that may impact the quality of life, and increase the incidence of disability and mortality. The pathogenesis of sarcopenia in diabetics is not yet clear, and may associate not only the aging and malnutrition, but also the insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, nerve vascular system complications, poor glycemic control, high blood glucose levels and long-term use medicine about, etc. Regular exercise, balanced nutritional intake and rational use of hypoglycemic drugs can promote the recovery of muscle strength, and may improve the quality of life and outcome of old patients with diabetes.

Key words: old, diabetes mellitus, sarcopenia, review