Association Between Tissue Accumulation of Skin Autofluorescence, Disease, and Exercise Capacity in Older Adults

As a noninvasive marker of the accumulation of advanced glycation end products, skin autofluorescence is a cost-effective alternative to traditional measurement methods. This study aimed to explore the associations of skin autofluorescence levels with disease, body composition, and physical function in older Korean adults. The study included 565 older participants (129 men and 436 women) registered across 12 institutions over 3 months in Incheon, South Korea. The noninvasive evaluation of skin autofluorescence was performed utilizing an advanced glycation end product reader mu. Skin autofluorescence, glycated hemoglobin, body composition, and fitness factors were measured. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. We confirmed that skin autofluorescence levels were affected by age (>3.4, p < 0.001), metabolic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension (>3.4, p = 0.038), and fitness factors (>3.4, p = 0.035). The fitness factors, which also represented a major indicator of sarcopenia, were found to have a particularly pronounced effect. Our results showed the relationships between skin autofluorescence levels, disease, and fitness factors. We also found that skin autofluorescence may play a role in the expression and measurement of sarcopenia. However, further studies are warranted to validate these results in other populations and establish a clear baseline value for skin autofluorescence levels in South Korea.