Elevated skin autofluorescence is strongly associated with foot ulcers in patients with diabetes: a cross-sectional, observational study of Chinese subjects.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the association between skin autofluorescence (AF), an indicator of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), and foot ulcers in subjects with diabetes.

Methods: In this study, 195 Chinese diabetic subjects were examined. Their feet were examined regardless of whether an ulcer was present or not. Skin AF was measured with an AGE reader. Demographic characteristics and blood data were recorded.

Results: The mean values of skin AF were 2.29 ± 0.47 for subjects without foot ulcers, and 2.80 ± 0.69 for those with foot ulcers, a significant difference (P<0.05). Skin AF was strongly correlated with age and duration of diabetes. After adjusting for these factors, multivariate logistic regression showed that skin AF was independently associated with foot ulcerations.

Conclusions: Skin AF is independently associated with diabetic foot ulcerations. It might be a useful screening method for foot ulceration risk of diabetic patients.