Investigation of the association between lens autofluorescence ratio and diabetes: a cross-sectional study.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Lens autofluorescence ratio (LFR) is a novel approach to detect advanced glycation end products in a time-saving and non-invasive manner. However, its associations with glycemia and diabetes remain unclear. We conducted this study to address this issue in Chinese adults.

METHODS

We enrolled a total of 4,705 participants aged 20-70 years in China between May 2020 and January 2021 in a cross-sectional study. LFR was determined by biomicroscopy (ClearPath DS-120). Diabetes was ascertained by oral glucose tolerance test, self-reported history, and/or antidiabetic medication use. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

LFR was higher in participants with diabetes than those without (23.27 ± 6.51 vs. 19.45 ± 5.08, p < 0.001). LFR correlated with fasting plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c in the overall and diabetes-stratified populations. The odds of diabetes was increased by 6% per one percent higher of LFR after multivariable-adjustment (odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% CI 1.04-1.08, p < 0.001). Participants in the highest quartile of LFR had higher odds of diabetes compared with those in the lowest quartile (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.33-2.52, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that, insulin resistance, as assessed by triglyceride-glucose index, may underline the relationship between high LFR and increased odds of diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

LFR, a non-invasive indirect measure of advanced glycation end products, appears to be associated with glycemia and the risk of developing diabetes in Chinese adults.