LAUSR

Purpose of review Advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) have an important role in the development of chronic complications in diabetes mellitus and in renal failure. Skin autofluorescence (SAF) is a simple noninvasive optical technique to estimate AGE levels in the dermis. SAF increases with age, but rises more rapidly in diabetes and renal failure, and is also associated with, and a predictor of their complications. Recent findings In recent large population studies, SAF is a strong predictor of development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and in persons with known diabetes of its complications. SAF also predicts new cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality not only in individuals with known type 2 diabetes but also in the general population. Summary SAF is a simple, powerful and independent predictor for development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and also for cardiovascular disease and mortality in both persons with diabetes, and in the general population.