HYPERINSULINEMIA IS COMMON IN FAMILY MEMBERS OF WOMEN WITH POLYCYSTIC-OVARY-SYNDROME

Objective: To determine whether disorders of insulin secretion are com mon in male and female family members of subjects with polycystic ovar y syndrome (PCOS). Design: Family study of siblings and parents of PCO S subjects (five families), All proband cases met the criteria of poly cystic ovaries (PCO) by ultrasound (US) and hyperandrogenism. Setting: University Reproductive Medicine Unit. Patient(s): Family members of PCOS subjects. Intervention(s): Oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT), insulin, and lipids were measured. Clinical examination including ass essment of premature baldness in men and US of ovaries in female membe rs. Main Outcome Measure(s): Insulin, lipids, and clinical parameters. Result(s): Hyperinsulinemia (69%) and hypertriglyceridemia (56%) was common in family members as were PCO in 79% of 24 females and prematur e baldness in men in 88% of eight subjects. Conclusion(s): Hyperinsuli nemia is a potential metabolic and genetic marker for subjects who may be carriers of a familial tendency for PCO.