Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in a Group of Sub-Saharan African Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Studies report high levels of inflammatory markers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), reflecting chronic low-grade inflammation. This inflammation is thought to be associated with insulin resistance. We aim to evaluate inflammatory markers [high sensitivity C reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6] and insulin resistance in women with PCOS in Yaoundé, Cameroon. METHODS: We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study including 32 women with PCOS aged between 18 and 44 years and 32 controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI). Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index calculated using C peptide levels was used to evaluate insulin resistance. Serum levels of high sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were measured. Comparisons were made using the Student’s T-test and non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney U-test, Kruskal–Wallis test). RESULTS: We found that the median [25th–75th percentile] level of hsCRP was significantly higher in women with PCOS compared to the controls (0.63 [0.32–3.81] mg/L vs. 0.47 [0.15–1.04] mg/L; p=0.01), while IL-6 levels were not different (8.61 [4.1–33.79] pg/mL for PCOS vs. 8.80 [5.28–38.85] pg/mL for controls; p=0.51). We noted that women with PCOS had a higher HOMA-IR index (1.15±0.90 vs. 0.77±0.38; p=0.03). However, there was no correlation between hsCRP level and the HOMA-IR index (Spearman correlation coefficient=0.10; p=0.62). CONCLUSION: PCOS is associated with an increased level of hsCRP and insulin resistance in Cameroonian women. This exploratory study provides baseline evidence for larger-scale studies.