Study on chronic low-grade inflammation and influential factors of polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To determine whether or not there is an increased level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), of peripheral white cell count and of associated factors in Chinese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Subjects and methods: Seventy-four patients with PCOS were recruited for the study. The control group consisted of 51 normal healthy women of a similar age and body mass index (BMI). The basic physical parameters, white cell count, CRP, sex hormone and fasting insulin were measured. The glycolipid metabolic index and the insulin sensitivity index were calculated.

Results: The serum CRP level (2.13 vs. 0.86 mg/l, p < 0.001) and total leukocyte count (7.50 +/- 1.83 vs. 6.55 +/- 1.66 x 10(9)/l, p < 0.01) were significantly higher in PCOS patients than in normal healthy women. Even PCOS patients with normal BMI had an increase in CRP and leukocyte count. The serum CRP level of PCOS patients was positively correlated with BMI (R = 0.57, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (R = 0.47, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with the insulin sensitivity index (R = -0.60, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The data showed that chronic nonspecific inflammation exists among Chinese patients with PCOS and that this kind of inflammation was related to insulin resistance, BMI, and triglycerides.