Non-invasive Measurement of Advanced Glycation End-Products in Atopic Dermatitis Patients: A Pilot Study on Potential Links to Metabolic and Systemic Disorders

Atopic dermatitis (AD), or eczema, is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and significantly impacts their quality of life. Despite being traditionally considered as a localized skin disorder, increasing evidence suggests that the inflammation associated with AD has systemic consequences. This is reflected in its close association with atopic comorbidities, such as asthma, rhinitis, and food/inhalant allergies, as well as its emerging links to other cardiovascular and metabolic conditions, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Although systemic implications of AD are becoming increasingly recognized, research in this field remains limited. To address this gap, this thesis explores the potential role of Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) in the pathogenesis of AD. AGEs are a heterogenous group of molecules that are formed through the non-enzymatic glycation of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Their formation is generally accelerated by high blood sugar levels and oxidative stress. These substances play a role in different chronic inflammatory conditions and have been linked to cutaneous, metabolic, and systemic diseases. To explore a possible link between AD and an increased risk of metabolic and systemic disorders, this study aimed to determine whether AGE levels are elevated in AD patients compared to a control group. AGE levels were assessed using the AGE Reader, a non-invasive device that measures skin autofluorescence (SAF). The findings of this pilot study indicate that AGE levels are significantly higher in AD patients compared to controls among normal-weight individuals. However, this difference is less evident in overweight individuals, likely due to the small number of overweight subjects in the control group and the general trend of higher AGE levels in overweight individuals, regardless of AD. Additionally, a positive correlation was identified between AGE levels, age, and the presence of systemic comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. These results support that AGEs could represent a promising biomarker for monitoring AD progression and its associated systemic risks. Incorporation of AGE measurement into clinical practice would enhance AD management by allowing for a more integrated strategy that addresses both dermatological manifestations and systemic comorbidities.