To explore the correlation between the levels of skin advanced glycation end products (AEGs) and the risk of microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

A total of 286 T2DM patients were included, and their clinical data were collected. The levels of skin AGEs were measured, and urine biochemistry (microalbumin and creatinine), electromyography, and fundus examination were performed. According to the presence or absence of microvascular complications [diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), and diabetic kidney disease (DKD)] in diabetes, the patients were divided into DR group and NDR group, DPN group and NDPN group, or DKD group and NDKD group.

There were significant differences in skin AGEs levels between patients with diabetes microvascular complications and those without (P<0.05). According to the quartiles of skin AGEs levels, the patients were divided into Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups, and there was a statistical difference in the incidence of DPN among the four groups (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that DKD, DPN, and DR were positively correlated with skin AGEs (P<0.05).

The incidence of DPN increases with the increase of skin AGEs levels. Skin AGEs are associated with microvascular complications (DKD, DPN, and DR) in diabetes. Age, course of disease, triglycerides, urea nitrogen, and 25 hydroxyvitamin D are independent influencing factors for skin AGEs (P<0.05).