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Elevated levels of CRP in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: an unrecognised potential hazard?
Author(s) -
Levin Ishai,
Gamzu Ronni,
Pauzner David,
Rogowski Ori,
Shapira Itzhak,
Maslovitz Sharon,
Almog Benny
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2005.00602.x
Subject(s) - ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome , medicine , c reactive protein , prospective cohort study , endothelial dysfunction , obstetrics and gynaecology , gynecology , gastroenterology , endocrinology , pregnancy , inflammation , in vitro fertilisation , biology , genetics
Objective Elevated levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP) were found recently to be a crucial marker for cardiovascular disease. This protein might have a role in endothelial cell activation, vascular damage and a thrombotic tendency. We sought to determine whether concentrations of CRP are altered in women with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) or hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Design A prospective cohort study. Setting The gynecology department and IVF unit of the Lis maternity hospital. Population Twenty women with OHSS, 20 women undergoing COH and 20 women who participated as controls were included in the study. Methods Venous blood was withdrawn for analysis of high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP) using the Boering BN‐II nephelometer. Main outcome measures hs‐CRP levels were determined. Results There was a significant ( P < 0.05) difference in the hs‐CRP concentrations in women with OHSS compared with women with COH and controls. The respective values for hs‐CRP were 19.0 [4.0], 7.0 [1.7] and 4.6 [1.1] mg/L. Conclusions Women with OHSS have elevated concentrations of hs‐CRP. This finding, previously believed to merely represent an acute phase response, may actually represent a yet unrecognised pathophysiological factor of this syndrome and pave the way for new investigational directions of this potentially hazardous condition.