Skin autofluorescence parameter as an adverse prognosis factor in patients with peripheral forms of atherosclerosis

Objective: prognostic significance determination of skin autofluorescence (SAF) as a factor of mortality and cardiovascular complications. Material and methods. We undertook the prospective study included 122 patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD): stenotic atherosclerosis of the brachio-cephalic trunk was revealed in 95 (77.9%), chronic arterial insufficiency of the lower extremities (CAI) in 47 (38.5%). SAF parameter was determined using an original device developed by the authors. Clinical, anthro-pometric, biochemical as well as instrumental parameters of heart and vessels were studied by ultrasound investigation methods. The prospective part was carried out at periods of up to 1043 days (mean 736 days). Results. SAF parameter was positively and significantly correlated with the scores on the scale of clinical prognostic signs, with CAI, the fact of operations on the leg arteries. There were 7 fatal cases and at least one hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons in 42 patients during the observation period. The most frequent were hospitalizations for conservative treatment of PAD, the need for aortocoronary bypass grafting and coronary artery stenting. The method of logistic regression determined that the fact of hospitalization or mortality was associated with SAF and blood plasma glucose, the presence of chronic heart failure above functional class 1. Model parameters: sensitivity 71 %, specificity 68%. Conclusion. SAF parameter can be used as an integral independent predictor in patients with multifocal atherosclerosis.