Dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome in the sisters of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
BACKGROUND
Dyslipidemia is a feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but its pathogenesis remains controversial.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that dyslipidemia is a heritable trait in sisters of women with PCOS.


METHODS
A case-control design was used.


METHODS
The study took place at General Clinical Research Centers in four academic medical centers in the United States.


METHODS
The subjects included 385 sisters of women with PCOS with the following reproductive phenotypes: sisters with PCOS (n = 51), sisters with hyperandrogenemia and regular menses (HA) (n = 38), unaffected sisters (n = 143), and unknown phenotypes (n = 153). One hundred twenty-five control women of comparable age, body mass index, and ethnicity to women with PCOS were included.


METHODS
Fasting blood was obtained for measurements of lipid profile, reproductive hormones, glucose, and insulin levels.


METHODS
The main outcome measures included lipid and lipoprotein levels and prevalence of metabolic syndrome.


RESULTS
Sisters with PCOS and HA phenotypes had higher total (P < or = 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P < or = 0.01) compared with unaffected sisters and control women. Triglyceride levels were elevated only in sisters with the PCOS phenotype (P < 0.05). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was increased in sisters with the PCOS (n = 29) and HA (n = 17) phenotypes compared with unaffected sisters (n = 85) (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Low-density lipoprotein levels are increased in affected sisters of women with PCOS consistent with a heritable trait. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is increased in affected sisters.
Sam
Susan
S
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Tarry Building 15-709, Chicago, Illinois 60611-3008, USA.
Legro
Richard S
RS
Bentley-Lewis
Rhonda
R
Dunaif
Andrea
A
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D035781:Siblings