The Biological Variation of C-Reactive Protein in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Abstract

An inverse relationship between increased C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and insulin sensitivity has occurred in individuals with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (1) and is thought to contribute to an increased risk of coronary heart disease (2). However, no data currently exist on the biological variability of CRP and insulin resistance within the same individuals with PCOS, information that is essential to assess the full relationship between the two measures. We describe a study to establish whether a PCOS patient’s CRP concentration remains within narrow biological limits or varies more widely over a given time period, as well as to correlate its variability to that of insulin resistance. Twelve overweight [mean (SD) body mass index (BMI), e.g., 33.2 (6.3) kg/m2] Caucasian women, diagnosed with PCOS [median (range) age, 28 (18–31) years], and 11 weight-matched Caucasian women [controls; mean (SD) BMI, 29.9 (3.3) kg/m2], with regular menses (every 28–30 days) and without PCOS [median (range) age, 30 (19–33) years], participated in the study. The BMI in the PCOS group was not significantly greater ( P = 0.151) than that of the control group. Diagnosis of PCOS was based on evidence of hyperandrogenemia [defined as free androgen index >8; mean (SD) index: PCOS group, 21.85 (7.95); controls, 4.68 (2.05)], with a history of oligomenorrhea and hirsutism or acne. Mean (SD) concentrations of testosterone and sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) in the PCOS group compared with the control group …