Skin Autofluorescence Assessment of Advanced Glycation End Products in Rheumatic Diseases

NCT ID: NCT07329556

Last Updated: 2026-01-09

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Total Enrollment: 300 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2026-01-15
• Study Completion Date: 2027-04-15

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 )

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_CONTROL
• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Study Groups

Rheumatic Diseases Group

Patients diagnosed with inflammatory rheumatic diseases undergoing skin autofluorescence measurement.

No interventions assigned to this group

Healthy Control Group

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

No interventions assigned to this group

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• 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

Exclusion Criteria

• 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

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 75 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Bursa City Hospital

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Taner Dandinoğlu

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Central Contacts

Altuğ Güner, MD

Role: CONTACT

altugguner555@gmail.com

+905337414088

References

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.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 22168993 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

2026-Rheumatology-1

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id