Researchers have found that a device that measures fluorescence of advanced glycation end products in skin is more accurate in detecting diabetes than fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or hemoglobin A1C levels. An elevated level of skin advanced glycation end products (SAGE) is a biomarker of diabetes.
In a study published in the May 2007 issue of Diabetes Care, researchers looked at 351 patients, 84 of whom had abnormal glucose tolerance test results indicating diabetes. At a cutoff of 100 mg/dL, FPG testing had a sensitivity of 58% and specificity of 77.4% for detecting diabetes. At the same specificity, the sensitivity of SAGE was 74.7%, while the sensitivity of A1C testing was 63.8%.
The study concluded that "the combination of accuracy and convenience of SAGE make it well suited for opportunistic screening and earlier detection of diabetes and prediabetes."
Did you know?
A recent study confirmed the benefits of whole grains on heart health. The researchers, reporting their results in Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Disease, suggest that Americans should increase their intake of whole grains such as oatmeal, barley, whole wheat, and brown rice. These foods have been shown to help lower the risk of clogged arteries, heart attacks, and strokes by lowering cholesterol, blood glucose, and insulin levels. They also improve blood vessel functioning and reduce inflammation in the circulatory system.
Researchers reviewed seven major studies involving more than 285,000 men and women who were followed for 6 to 15 years. Overall, those who ate the most whole grains were less likely to die of cardiovascular disease or suffer a heart attack or stroke.