Improving the measurement of skin autofluorescence or working on the clinical applicability of skin autofluorescence from a biomedical engineering perspective

PhD ceremony: Mr. M. Koetsier, 14.45 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Title: Improving the measurement of skin autofluorescence or working on the clinical applicability of skin autofluorescence from a biomedical engineering perspective

Promotor(s): prof. G. Rakhorst, prof. T.P. Links

Faculty: Medical Sciences

 

The detection of an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases is important in preventive health care. The measurement of autofluorescence (AF) of the skin with an AGE reader is a non-invasive and fast method for the assessment of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs are metabolic products that accumulate in tissues with low collagen turn-over, such as skin. Their amount is an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk. Many measurements of skin were performed in healthy subjects to assess age-dependent reference values in a Caucasian population. A new calculation method was developed for skin AF measures in people with dark skin. The method of AGE-measurement was also reliable in patients who are using haemodialysis.