Skin Autofluorescence Assessment of Advanced Glycation End Products in Rheumatic Diseases

NCT07329556 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2026-Rheumatology-1
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 300
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Rheumatic diseases are chronic inflammatory conditions that can lead to long-term tissue damage and increased cardiovascular and metabolic risk. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are harmful molecules that accumulate in the body over time and are known to promote inflammation and oxidative stress. Increased AGE burden has been implicated in several chronic diseases; however, its role in rheumatic diseases has not been fully clarified. This observational, cross-sectional study aims to evaluate the accumulation of AGEs in patients with various rheumatic diseases compared with healthy individuals. AGE levels will be assessed non-invasively using skin autofluorescence measurements. By comparing AGE burden between patients and healthy controls, this study seeks to improve understanding of the potential role of AGEs in the pathophysiology of rheumatic diseases and to explore their usefulness as a non-invasive biomarker in clinical practice.

Conditions

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA; Ankylosing Spondylitis; Psoriatic Arthritis; Reactive Arthritis (ReA); Crystal Arthropathies; Connective Tissue Diseases; Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF )

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Skin Autofluorescence-Derived Advanced Glycation End Product Level

  Advanced glycation end-product (AGE) accumulation assessed non-invasively by skin autofluorescence measurement using a validated AGE Reader device, expressed in arbitrary units (AU).

  Baseline (single study visit)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Comparison of AGE Levels Between Rheumatic Disease Subtypes

  Baseline (single study visit)

• Association Between AGE Levels and Inflammatory Markers

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Rheumatic Diseases Group

Patients diagnosed with inflammatory rheumatic diseases undergoing skin autofluorescence measurement.

Healthy Control Group

Age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers without a diagnosis of rheumatic disease.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of adult patients aged 18 to 75 years diagnosed with inflammatory rheumatic diseases who are followed at a tertiary rheumatology outpatient clinic, as well as age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers without a history of rheumatic or chronic inflammatory disease. All participants will undergo a single, non-invasive skin autofluorescence measurement to assess advanced glycation end-product (AGE) accumulation.

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 75 years
• Diagnosis of an inflammatory rheumatic disease (including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, connective tissue diseases, Behçet disease, familial Mediterranean fever, or crystal arthropathies), confirmed by a rheumatologist
• Healthy volunteers without a history of rheumatic or chronic inflammatory disease (for the control group)
• Ability to undergo non-invasive skin autofluorescence measurement
• Ability and willingness to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (type 1 or type 2)
• Chronic kidney disease with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) \< 60 mL/min/1.73 m²
• Active malignancy or history of malignancy within the past 5 years
• Presence of acute infection or acute inflammatory condition at the time of assessment
• Secondary causes of systemic inflammation unrelated to the underlying rheumatic disease (e.g., uncontrolled endocrine disorders, chronic liver disease)
• Use of medications known to markedly affect AGE accumulation or skin autofluorescence measurements (e.g., recent high-dose systemic glucocorticoids)
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Presence of significant skin conditions (e.g., extensive dermatitis, scars, tattoos, or burns) at the measurement site that may interfere with skin autofluorescence assessment
• Inability to comply with study procedures or to provide informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bursa City Hospital: lead

Related Publications (1)

• de Groot L, Hinkema H, Westra J, Smit AJ, Kallenberg CG, Bijl M, Posthumus MD. Advanced glycation endproducts are increased in rheumatoid arthritis patients with controlled disease. Arthritis Res Ther. 2011;13(6):R205. doi: 10.1186/ar3538. Epub 2011 Dec 14.

  PMID: 22168993 RESULT

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Spondylitis, Ankylosing; Arthritis, Psoriatic; Arthritis, Reactive; Crystal Arthropathies; Connective Tissue Diseases; Familial Mediterranean Fever

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Autoimmune Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Axial Spondyloarthritis; Spondylarthropathies; Spondylarthritis; Spondylitis; Spinal Diseases; Bone Diseases; Ankylosis; Psoriasis; Skin Diseases, Papulosquamous; Skin Diseases; Arthritis, Infectious; Infections; Post-Infectious Disorders; Chronic Disease; Disease Attributes; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Hereditary Autoinflammatory Diseases; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities

Central Study Contacts

Altuğ Güner, MD

CONTACT

+905337414088; altugguner555@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 28, 2025
• First Posted: January 9, 2026
• Study Start: January 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 15, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 15, 2027
• Last Updated: January 9, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01