Novel optical assessments of tissue composition and viability using fluorescence spectroscopy and tissue oxygenation spectrophotometry in patients with systemic sclerosis: a pilot study

Objective: Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) experience significant morbidity and mortality, therefore, the development of tests to aid its early diagnosis are very important. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the diagnostic value of novel optical non-invasive skin fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) and tissue oxygen saturation (TOS) viability measurements in patients with established SSc. Approach: Two groups were studied, comprising 14 SSc patients and nine healthy controls (93% and 73% females, respectively). FS and TOS measurements were collected from three body sites: the forearm, chest, and calf. Fluorescence intensities at wavelengths attributed to collagen, elastin, and L-tryptophan were computed, with adjustment for melanin, and a normalised combined fluorescence score (NCFS) was determined. Main results: The NCFS was significantly higher (p