Evaluation of High Sensitive C-Reactive Protein Levels in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) without insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: This retrospective study involved 90 patients aged 18–35 years who applied to a tertiary clinic between March 2022 and December 2023. A total of 45 PCOS patients without IR and MS and 45 healthy women were enrolled in the study. All participants underwent medical history review, clinical physical examination, gynecological ultrasonographic evaluation, and laboratory testing. Laboratory screening tests included measurements of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total testosterone (T), free testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is a cardiovascular risk factor. Normal insulin sensitivity was defined on the basis of fasting serum glucose, fasting insulin level, serum insulin response to the oral glucose tolerance test, and the homeostatic model of insulin resistance. hsCRP levels were evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, FSH, LH, free T, total T, DHEAS, or SHBG. PCOS patients had increased hsCRP, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index (BMI), and LDL levels compared to the control group. hsCRP was positively correlated with WHR, BMI, and LDL. A strong correlation was found between hsCRP and PCOS. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Elevated hsCRP is associated with cardiovascular risk factors in PCOS patients without IR and MS.