The Relationship between C-Reactive Protein and Carotid Intima-Media Wall Thickness in Middle-Aged Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with premature carotid atherosclerosis. C-Reactive protein (CRP) has been implicated as a vascular disease risk factor. The objective of this study was to determine whether elevated CRP is associated with increased carotid intima-media wall thickness (IMT) in PCOS women. Forty-seven PCOS patients and 59 similarly aged controls were screened for cardiovascular risk factors and concurrently underwent carotid ultrasonography (1996–1999). The main outcome measure was carotid IMT. CRP was significantly higher in PCOS patients than in controls (3.4 vs. 2.1 mg/dl; P = 0.002). In regression modeling, PCOS associated with IMT independently of CRP and age (P = 0.019). Body mass index reduced the association of PCOS and CRP with IMT and was also associated with IMT (P = 0.029). The CRP-IMT relationship was attenuated when either insulin or visceral fat was included in the PCOS-age-CRP model (P = 0.197 and P = 0.550, respectively). PCOS remained associated with IMT indep...