title: Familial associations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To confirm whether there was a familial association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thromboembolic disease, ovarian or breast cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university hospital in the United Kingdom.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and seventeen women with and without PCOS under the care of the same consultant gynecologist at a teaching hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prevalence of a personal or positive family history of thromboembolism, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, and heart attacks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In an analysis of the replies from 41 women with PCOS and 66 controls, we found a statistically significant positive family history of breast cancer and heart attacks among women with PCOS. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean age, ethnic origin, or prevalence of a family history of other diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show a positive association between polycystic ovary syndrome and a family history of breast cancer and heart disease. These associations may be genetic in origin, or secondary to a complex interplay of genetic, intrauterine, and environmental factors. More studies are required to confirm these findings and determine the factors that explain these associations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Human Development, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom. william.atiomo@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: William U
authors.initials: WU
authors.lastname: Atiomo
authors.forename: Essam
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: El-Mahdi
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hardiman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics*