Cardiovascular diseases are significant causes of death, and it is of great importance to be able to detect them at an early stage. Recently, DiagnOptics has introduced the AGE Reader (see photo), which is based on a spectrometer and UV fibre provided by Avantes. It non-invasively measures Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs) in tissue. AGEs are formed at an increased rate as a consequence of an excess in free oxygen radicals. This is generally referred to as oxidative stress and enhances the inflammatory process in the vascular wall that ultimately leads to cardiovascular disease. In the tabletop AGE Reader, patients place their forearm on the device to obtain a result in less than 30 s. The result is shown as a number with clearly established reference and risk values. It makes use of the characteristic fluorescent properties of AGEs when illuminated with UV light, referred to as skin autofluorescence. The AGE Reader consists of a small box, containing an excitation light source, emitting light with wavelengths of 300–420 nm (peak ~370 nm). Light is transmitted through a 4 cm² large window on the top of the box, directly illuminating the skin. Only light reflected and emitted from the skin is measured with an integrated Avantes 2048 spectrometer in the 300–600 nm range. Dark and white reference measurements are performed before every measurement to correct for dark current background light and to calculate reflectance, respectively. To correct for differences in light absorption, skin AF is calculated by dividing the amount of emitted light intensity between 420 nm and 600 nm by the amount of excitation light intensity between 300 nm and 420 nm, expressed as arbitrary units. The AGE Reader has been incorporated in routine clinical care in several hospitals, and is now also being introduced in first-line care settings.

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