Chronic Inflammation in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Işık ÜSTÜNER1, Murat SÖNMEZER1, Cem ATABEKOĞLU1, Ahmet ERGUN2, Sevim GÜLLÜ3, Ruşen AYTAÇ1
Ankara-Turkey
OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess whether C-reactive protein (CRP) which is not only a marker of inflammation but a strong predictor of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease was increased among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 18 women with PCOS and 20 healthy subjects matched for body mass index (BMI) and age. Androgenic hormones, anthropometric measurements, metabolic parameters and serum CRP levels were assessed. Further analysis whether there was a correlation between CRP and other parameters was carried out in the PCOS group as well.
RESULTS: The androgenic hormones total testosterone (54.51±13.58 vs. 25.0±14.82 ng/dL, p<0.001), and androstenedione (3.7±1.1 vs. 2.78±1.19 ng/dL, p=0.049) were higher in the study group than in control subjects. Dehydroepiandrostenedione sulfate (DHEAS) (191.66±68.79 vs. 179.85±86.32 mg/dL), fasting insulin (15.1±4.1 vs. 14.5±1.7µIu/mL) and postprandial glucose (105±12.7 mg/dL vs. 97.4±10.8 mg/dL) were similar. Fasting glucose was higher in the study group compared to controls (96.1±7.9 vs. 86.6±8.9 mg/dL, p=0.007). Mean CRP levels were higher in patients with PCOS than in healthy controls (1.40±0.98 mg/dL and 0.88±0.39 mg/dL respectively, p<0.001). Regression analysis revealed no correlation between CRP and other factors studied, except for a positive relationship that existed with BMI (r=0.286, p=0.045).
CONCLUSION: PCOS patients have increased levels of inflamation marker CRP which may also signal the tendency to develop cardiovascular disease in addition to established risk factors among PCOS patients.
(Gynecol Obstet Reprod Med 2006; 12:180-185)
Key Words: Chronic inflammation, C-reactive protein, Polycystic ovary syndrome
