Physical activity and diet pattern do not mitigate C-reactive protein increases associated with oral contraceptive use

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319928
• Publication Date: 2025-04-08T17:41:34Z
• Authors: Eric T. Trexler; David E. Eagle; Herman Pontzer
• Keywords: General linear model

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence body mass index (BMI), physical activity (PA) level, dietary inflammatory (DII), and oral contractive (OC) use on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, determine if elevated CRP values reflect systemic inflammation in OC users. Data were obtained from four cycles (1999-2006) U.S. National Health Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study, yielding a sample 496 current users comparator group 1,583 regularly menstruating women. A general linear model used test for interaction effects among BMI, PA use, after adjusting age smoking status, with log-transformed (lnCRP) identified as outcome variable. Sequential models no terms then constructed impact circulating lnCRP status. Follow-up analyses assess relationship between other indices nonusers, predictors within each subgroup. omnibus including age, BMI did not identify any statistically significant two-way or three-way (all p ≥ .259). adjusted r 2 value modestly increased 0.3789 0.3801 when all removed. After status sequentially built indicated that level inversely related ( = .0019). When added model, it positively associated < .0001), clinically differences nonusers. last variable entered into which .0001). Among .0008) .0001) significantly predictive levels age. In contrast, .718) All alternative correlated but correlations stronger than nonusers .05). subset complete nutrition data, .021), DII .007) .709) .690) conclusion, OC-induced elevations appear be reflective chronic, response. low are lower do mitigate