A multivariate NIR study of skin alterations in diabetic patients as compared to control subjects

A group of 15 diabetic persons with different degrees of diabetes complications, including skin changes, was studied by Fourier Transform Near Infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy. Skin reflectance spectra were measured with a fibre-optic probe in four locations (sites): hand, arm, leg and foot. For reference, a group of 28 healthy controls was also measured, Multivariate analysis of the NIR spectra obtained shows a high potential for classification and discrimination of the skin conditions. Valuable indications for future experiments can be observed.