Skin Autofluorescence Is a Strong Predictor of Cardiac Mortality in Diabetes

• DOI: 10.2337/dc06-1391
• Publication Date: 2006-12-27T16:37:53Z
• Authors: Robbert Meerwaldt; Helen L. Lutgers; Thera P. Links; Reindert Graaff; John W. Baynes; Rijk O.B. Gans; Andries J. Smit
• Keywords: Autofluorescence

OBJECTIVE—Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are biomarkers of metabolic stress and thought to contribute the increase coronary heart disease (CHD) in diabetes. Tissue autofluorescence is related accumulation AGEs. The aim present study was evaluate relationship between skin burden (hyperglycemia hyperlipidemia) its with CHD mortality. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Skin measured noninvasively an reader 48 type 1 69 2 diabetic patients 43 control subjects. presence observed at baseline mortality during a follow-up period 5 years. RESULTS—Autofluorescence correlated mean A1C, triglycerides, LDL. Autofluorescence values further increased age, microalbuminuria, dialysis treatment, diabetes duration. strongly (odds ratio 7.9) predicted (3.0). Multivariate analysis showed that more associated compared CONCLUSIONS—Skin cumulative burden. Skin seems cardiac may provide important clinical information for risk assessment.