Apparatus and methods for spectroscopic analysis of human tissue to classify an individual as diabetic or non-diabetic, or to determine the probability, progression or level of diabetes in an individual. Tissue optical information of an individual, including at least a measurement of at least one wavelength or group of wavelengths indicative of glycosylated collagen content in tissue, is analyzed using multivariate techniques. The multivariate techniques include an algorithm developed from optical information from individuals having a known disease state. At least one factor in the algorithm is dependent on or a function of the measurement of the at least one wavelength or group of wavelengths indicative of glycosylated collagen content in tissue from the optical information of individuals forming the database.