Abstract
Background: The role of advanced glycation end-products（AGEs）in the development of skin-tears（STs）remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the association between AGEs and skin characteristics among elderly at high risk of STs and to evaluate the effect of AGEs on skin characteristics in the context of ST development.
Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled elderly patients at high risk of STs who were being treated in nursing homes and hospitals. Participants were categorized based on their history of STs. Skin AGE levels and physiological and morphological skin characteristics were measured on the forearm. Correlations between skin characteristics were assessed in terms of total numbers. Differences between groups affected by STs（ST group）and those not affected（non-ST group）were examined.
Results: Sixty-four participants（median age: 92 years）participated in the study（23 in the ST group, and 41 in the non-ST group）. Median skin AGE levels were 3.2 AF. Skin AGE level was positively associated with Young′s modulus and intensity score（ρ = 0.34, ρ = 0.44）. In the ST group, skin thickness（p < 0.01）and Young′s modulus（p = 0.04）were significantly higher. No significant difference in AGE levels（p = 0.46）was found.
Discussion: AGE levels increased with collagen density in the skin of elderly at high risk of STs. AGE-induced morphological changes in the skin may contribute to the development of STs.
Conclusion: Elevated levels of skin AGEs were not directly implicated in the development of STs; however, they may exert an indirect influence by impacting skin elasticity.
