Dyslipidemia and metabolic syndrome in the sisters of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract

Dyslipidemia is a feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but its pathogenesis remains controversial. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that dyslipidemia is a heritable trait in sisters of women with PCOS. A case-control design was used. The study took place at General Clinical Research Centers in four academic medical centers in the United States. 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. Fasting blood was obtained for measurements of lipid profile, reproductive hormones, glucose, and insulin levels. The main outcome measures included lipid and lipoprotein levels and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. 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). 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.