Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in first-degree relatives of patients with PCOS

Objective: To determine the rate of clinically evident polycystic ovary syn drome (PCOS) among first-degree female relatives within families with a pro band affected by PCOS. Design: Clinical and biochemical evaluation of the mothers and sisters of 9 3 patients with PCOS. The diagnosis of PCOS was established by: [1] a histo ry of oligomenorrhea, [2] clinical evidence (i.e., hirsutism) or biochemica l evidence (i.e., elevated total or free T) of hyperandrogenism, and [3] th e exclusion of related disorders. Setting: Tertiary care university. Patient(s): Patients with PCOS and their mothers and sisters. Intervention(s): Interview, physical examination, and hormonal testing on b lood samples were performed for all subjects. Main Outcome Measure(s): The presence of hirsutism and hyperandrogenemia wa s determined in the mothers and sisters of the patients with PCOS. Result(s): Of the 78 mothers and 50 sisters evaluated clinically, 19 (24%) and 16 (32%) were affected with PCOS, respectively. A higher rate of PCOS w as observed when only premenopausal women not taking hormones (i.e., untrea ted) were considered (i.e., 35% of mothers and 40% of sisters), consistent with amelioration of symptoms with hormonal therapy or aging. These rates o f PCOS are significantly higher than that observed in our general populatio n (approximately 4%) and suggest the involvement of a major genetic compone nt in the disorder. Conclusion(s): The rates of PCOS in mothers and sisters of patients with PC OS were 24% and 32%, respectively, although the risk was higher when consid ering unheated premenopausal women only. (C) 2001 by American Society for R eproductive Medicine.