title: Low-grade chronic inflammation in pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective controlled clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and pregnancy are conditions characterized by an increased low-grade chronic inflammation state. A higher incidence of pregnancy complications has been detected in pregnant PCOS women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that the low-grade chronic inflammation state typical of PCOS patients persists during gestation and is exacerbated by pregnancy and contributes to the increased risk of obstetric/neonatal complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective controlled clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted at the Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the "Pugliese-Ciaccio" Hospital of Catanzaro (Catanzaro, Italy).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred fifty pregnant PCOS women and 150 age- and body mass index-matched healthy pregnant controls participated in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  INTERVENTIONS included serial clinical, biochemical, and ultrasonographic assessments before and throughout pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum levels of white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and ferritin were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pregnant women with PCOS had higher WBC, CRP, and ferritin levels at study entry and at all gestational ages than controls. Changes in serum WBC and ferritin levels were significantly higher in PCOS than in controls starting from the 12th week of gestation whereas those in CRP from the 20th week of gestation. By multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis, in the PCOS group, a significant association with the risk of adverse obstetric/neonatal outcomes was found for WBC [hazard ratio (HR) 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31-1.64; P = .010], CRP (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.34; P = .019), and ferritin levels (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.26; P = .011).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In PCOS patients, the low-grade chronic inflammation persists during gestation and is exacerbated by pregnancy, and it is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Units of Obstetrics and Gynecology (S.P., A.F., G.C., G.B.L.S.) IRCCS-Arcispedale Santa Maria Nuova, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy; Department of Endocrinology (F.O.), University "Parthenope" of Naples, 80100 Naples, Italy; Department of Endocrinology (F.O.), University "Ruggi d'Aragona," 84131 Salerne, Italy; Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology (A.T.) and Endocrinology (A.C.), University "Federico II" of Naples, 80131 Naples, Italy; University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (G.B.L.S.), 41100 Modena, Italy; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (F.Z.), University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palomba
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Falbo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chiossi
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Orio
authors.forename: Achille
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tolino
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colao
authors.forename: Giovanni Battista
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: La Sala
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zullo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005293:Ferritins