Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome had significantly higher rates of elevated C-reactive protein (>5 mg/L) compared to BMI-matched controls (36.8% vs 9.6%, P<0.001).
Case-Control (n=210)
Are C-reactive protein levels elevated in women with polycystic ovary syndrome compared to BMI-matched controls?
Women with PCOS have significantly elevated CRP levels compared to BMI-matched controls, indicating a potential marker for early cardiovascular risk.
Absolute Event Rate: 36.8% vs 9.6%
p-value: p=<0.001
The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common reproductive abnormalities, shares some components of the metabolic cardiovascular syndrome. Therefore, PCOS patients may represent the largest group of women at high risk for the development of early-onset cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or diabetes. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a strong independent predictor of future CVD and/or stroke. Only one small published study has looked for such an association (17 PCOS patients vs. 15 controls). The objective of this study was to compare the levels of CRP and other risk factors of CVD in a large group of PCOS patients and controls. CRP measurements were undertaken in 116 PCOS patients and 94 body mass index-matched controls with regular menstrual cycles. Whereas 36.8% of the PCOS patients had CRP levels above 5 mg/liter, only 9.6% of the controls exhibited high CRP levels (P < 0.001). The mean +/- SD was 5.46 +/- 7.0 in the PCOS group vs. 2.04 +/- 1.9 mg/liter in the control (P < 0.001). The body mass index, white blood cell count, TSH, glucose, cholesterol, and homocysteine levels were not significantly different between the two groups. CRP levels are elevated in patients with PCOS and may be a marker of early cardiovascular risk in these patients. High CRP levels may explain why some PCOS women may possibly be at an increased risk for the development of early-onset CVD. Consequently, whether treatment regimens directed toward lowering CVD risk factors should be more aggressive for those PCOS women with increased CRP levels, awaits further clinical experience.
Boulman et al. (Sat,) conducted a case-control in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (n=210). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Exposure) vs. Body mass index-matched controls was evaluated on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels > 5 mg/liter (p=<0.001). Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome had significantly higher rates of elevated C-reactive protein (>5 mg/L) compared to BMI-matched controls (36.8% vs 9.6%, P<0.001).