Evaluation of lipid profile, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and D-dimer in users of oral contraceptives of different types

• Main Authors: João Victor M. Guedes (Author), Natália R. Nunes (Author), Letícia G. R. Ferreira (Author), Thaís G. Vilar (Author), Melina B. Pinheiro (Author), Caroline P. Domingueti (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Patologia Clínica, 2018-02-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 1678-4774; 10.5935/1676-2444.20180002
• Keywords: oral combined contraceptives; inflammation; lipids; thrombophilia; Pathology; RB1-214
• Source: Jornal Brasileiro de Patologia e Medicina Laboratorial, Vol 54, Iss 1, Pp 14-20 (2018)

ABSTRACT Introduction: The use of oral contraceptives increases women's risk of developing cardiovascular and thromboembolic diseases, due to alterations in hemostatic and lipid profile. Objectives: Analyze the association between the use of different types of oral contraceptives with lipid profile and levels of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and plasma D-dimer. Methods: One hundred fifty-four participants were divided into the following groups: control nonusers (n = 41), medium-dose users (n= 32), third-generation low-dose users (n = 40), and fourth-generation low-dose users (n = 41). Triglycerides and total cholesterol serum levels were determined by colorimetric enzymatic method; high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, by precipitation method; low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, by Friedewald equation; hsCRP levels, by immunoturbidimetric method; and D-dimer levels, by fluorescence immunoassay. Results: Oral contraceptive users had higher serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), HDL/LDL index and hsCRP compared to controls. Medium-dose users had higher D-dimer plasma levels than controls and higher triglycerides serum levels than low-dose users. Triglycerides, hsCRP and D-dimer were positively correlated to each other. Conclusion: The use of combined oral contraceptives was associated with an unfavorable lipid profile and a chronic subclinical inflammation, with atherogenic potential. Furthermore, medium-dose contraceptives induced a higher thrombogenic potential, since they were associated with increased D-dimer levels in comparison to low-dose ones.