Relationship between heart rate recovery and inflammatory markers in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a cross-sectional study

• Main Authors: Giallauria Francesco (Author), Orio Francesco (Author), Lombardi Gaetano (Author), Colao Annamaria (Author), Vigorito Carlo (Author), Tafuri Maria (Author), Palomba Stefano (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: BMC, 2009-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disease closely related to several risk factors for cardiovascular disease. An abnormal heart rate recovery (HRR), an easily-obtained measure derived from exercise stress test and closely related to an increased risk for cardiovascular mortality, has been recently described in PCOS women. A subclinical increase of the inflammation markers has been also observed in the PCOS. This study was designed to study the relationships between HRR and inflammatory markers in PCOS women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Two-hundred forty-three young PCOS patients without known risk factors for cardiovascular risk were enrolled. All patients underwent hormonal and metabolic profile, white blood cells (WBCs) count and C-reactive protein (CRP). HRR was calculated as the difference between heart rate at peak exercise and heart rate at first minute of the cool-down period. Abnormal HRR was defined as ≤18 beats/min for standard exercise testing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eighty-nine out of 243 patients presented abnormal HRR. Serum CRP (1.8 ± 0.7 vs. 1.1 ± 0.4 mg/dl, <it>p </it>< 0.001) and WBCs (7.3 ± 1.8 vs. 6.6 ± 1.5 10⁹cells/l, <it>p </it>< 0.001) concentrations were significantly higher in PCOS patients with abnormal <it>versus </it>normal HRR. HRR was significantly associated with both CRP (r = -0.33, <it>p </it>< 0.001) and WBCs (r = -0.29, <it>p </it>< 0.001), although in a stepwise multiple regression HRR resulted independently associated with CRP (beta = -0.151, p = 0.001) alone. In a logistic multivariate model, the group within the highest quartile of CRP (odds ratio 1.59, 95% CI 1.07-2.33) was more likely to have abnormal HRR than those within the lowest quartile.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Abnormal HRR and inflammatory markers are closely associated in PCOS women acting probably in concert to increase the cardiovascular risk profile of these patients.</p>

Item Description

10.1186/1757-2215-2-3
1757-2215