title: Skin autofluorescence in type 2 diabetes: beyond blood glucose.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Skin autofluorescence (AF), which has been proposed as a measure of tissue content of advanced glycation end-products, is a predictor of health outcomes in diabetic patients. Aim of this study is the assessment of parameters associated with increased AF in a sample of type 2 diabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  AF was determined in a consecutive series of type 2 diabetic 92 patients aged 69.1+/-12.4 years. Univariate and multivariate correlations with several clinical and chemical parameters were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant (p<0.01) correlation of AF was found with age (r=0.33) and HbA1c (r=0.34). After adjusting for age and HbA1c, micro- or macrovascular complications of diabetes were associated with higher AF. Furthermore, a higher AF was found in patients with metabolic syndrome (2.7+/-1.0 AU versus 2.2+/-0.7 AU; p<0.05). Waist circumference, triglyceride, and HDL cholesterol showed a significant correlation with AF after adjustment for age and HbA1c (adj. r=0.30, 0.29, and -0.27; all p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skin autofluorescence in type 2 diabetic patients is associated not only with degree of hyperglycaemia and age, but also with adiposity and metabolic syndrome.
authors: Department of Critical Care Medicine and Surgery, Geriatric Unit, University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy. mmonami@libero.it
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Monami
authors: Caterina
authors: C
authors: Lamanna
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Gori
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Bartalucci
authors: Niccolò
authors: N
authors: Marchionni
authors: Edoardo
authors: E
authors: Mannucci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000502:physiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids