Skin Autofluorescence Is a Strong Predictor of Cardiac Mortality in Diabetes

Abstract

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

Skin Autofluorescence–Indicated Advanced Glycation End Products as Predictors of Cardiovascular and All‐Cause Mortality in High‐Risk Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis

“…Of the 56 full‐text articles reviewed, only 10 studies25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 met the eligibility criteria (Figure 1). Seven studies25, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34 quantified the risk for all‐cause mortality, and 8 samples from 7 studies25, 26, 27, 29, 32, 34 quantified the risk for cardiovascular mortality.…”

“…Seven studies25, 27, 28, 30, 33, 34 quantified the risk for all‐cause mortality, and 8 samples from 7 studies25, 26, 27, 29, 32, 34 quantified the risk for cardiovascular mortality. The studies were conducted in 4 European countries25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 1 Asian country 29. The reports were published between 2005 and 2015 (Table 1).…”

“…The studies included patients with renal disease,25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 33, 34 peripheral artery disease,26 and diabetes mellitus 30, 32. The percentage of male participants ranged from 39.3% to 73.0%, and the percentage of current smokers ranged from 10.0% to 50.0%.…”

“…The percentage of male participants ranged from 39.3% to 73.0%, and the percentage of current smokers ranged from 10.0% to 50.0%. Most studies included a normal weight population,25, 28, 29, 31, 32 and only 3 included an overweight population 26, 27, 31. The prevalence of hypertension ranged from 18.0% to 91.0%, and the prevalence of preexisting CVD ranged from 29.0% to 50.0%.…”

“…Only 2 studies focused on patients with diabetes mellitus specified the type of diabetes mellitus 30, 32. On baseline measurements, SAF levels ranged from 1.6 to 3.6 arbitrary units 32, 34. All studies estimated SAF using an AGE Reader device (DiagnOptics).…”