Objective Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) occurs during normal aging but markedly accelerates in people with diabetes. AGEs may play a role in various age-related disorders. Several studies have demonstrated that skin autofluorescence (SAF) reflects accumulated tissue levels of AGEs. However, very few studies have investigated SAF in the general population. The purpose of the present study was to more thoroughly evaluate the potential association among SAF, chronological age, and lifestyle habits in the general population. Methods A large cross-sectional survey of 10,946 Japanese volunteers aged 20 to 79 years was conducted. Volunteers completed a self-administered questionnaire and underwent SAF measurement on their dominant forearms. The associations of SAF with age and lifestyle habits were analyzed using a multiple stepwise regression analysis. Results Age was independently correlated with SAF. Lifestyle habits such as physical activity, nonsmoking, adequate sleep, low mental stress level, eating breakfast, and abstaining from sugary food were each independently associated with lower SAF. Conclusions SAF was associated with age and healthy lifestyle habits in this general Japanese population. The present study suggests that SAF measurement is a convenient tool for evaluating habitual lifestyle behaviors and may have potential for preventative health education.
Keywords: Japanese; Skin autofluorescence; advanced glycation end products; general population; health education; lifestyle.