Glucose Intolerance, Insulin Resistance, and Hyperandrogenemia in First Degree Relatives of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance (IR), increased risk of glucose intolerance, and type 2 diabetes. Family studies have indicated a genetic susceptibility to PCOS. The aims of this study were 1) to assess glucose tolerance status, gonadotropins, and androgens in first degree relatives of patients with PCOS; and 2) to assess IR in normal glucose tolerant (NGT) family members. One hundred two family members of 52 patients with PCOS [MothersPCOS (n = 34; mean age, 46.5 yr; mean body mass index (BMI), 28.8 kg/m2), FathersPCOS (n = 24; mean age, 50.4 yr; mean BMI, 27.5 kg/m2), SistersPCOS (n = 19; mean age, 25.1 yr; mean BMI, 22.9 kg/m2), and BrothersPCOS (n = 25; mean age, 23.7 yr; mean BMI, 22.5 kg/m2)] and 82 unrelated healthy control subjects without a family history of diabetes or PCOS (4 age- and weight-matched subgroups, i.e. ControlMothersPCOS, ControlFathersPCOS, ControlSistersPCOS, and ControlBrothersPCOS) were studied. Glucose and insulin (at ba...