Association of advanced glycation end products with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Aims Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were reported to be associated with diabetes development and diabetes related complications when accumulated in high levels. This study investigated the association between AGEs and diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods A total of 1,471 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled. Fundus radiography was used for DR measurement. AGEs were detected through non-invasive skin autofluorescence method. Results Patients with more advanced DR showed a much higher AGEs, and the prevalence of DR (based on the severity) increase with ascending AGEs quartiles (all P for trend  Conclusion Non-invasive measured skin AGEs, associated with the prevalence of all stages of DR, might be a more suitable indicator than HbA1c for mimicking the poor prognosis of hyperglycemia.