C-reactive protein and homocysteine levels are associated with abnormal heart rate recovery in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To determine heart rate recovery (HRR) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its relation to C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy) levels. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Sixty-eight women with PCOS and 68 healthy women were included this study. Intervention(s): Heart rate recovery was evaluated. We measured serum levels of CRP and Hcy. The presence of insulin resistance was investigated using homeostasis model assesment (HOMA-IR). Main Outcome Measure(s): Heart rate recovery, CRP, Hcy. Result(s): Heart rate recovery was significantly decreased in women with PCOS compared with control group women. Subjects with abnormal HRR had significantly greater levels of CRP and Hcy. The PCOS patients with HRR in the top tertile compared with the bottom quartile tended to have lower mean CRP and Hcy levels. The HRR was significantly and negatively correlated with age, CRP, Hcy, HOMA-IR, and body mass index. C-reactive protein and Hcy are independent determinants of HRR. Conclusion(s): The CRP and Hcy levels may affect the development and progression of abnormal HRR in PCOS.