Skin autofluorescence in type 2 diabetes: beyond blood glucose.
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.
Monami
Matteo
M
Department of Critical Care Medicine and Surgery, Geriatric Unit, University of Florence and AOU Careggi, Florence, Italy. mmonami@libero.it
Lamanna
Caterina
C
Gori
Francesca
F
Bartalucci
Francesca
F
Marchionni
Niccolò
N
Mannucci
Edoardo
E
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
D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids