Wednesday 7 September 2005
Close relatives of PCOS patients show increased CVD risk
Source: Human Reproduction 2005; 20: 2414-20
Evaluating insulin resistance, glucose tolerance, and cardiovascular risk in first-degree relatives of polycystic ovary syndrome patients.
Turkish researchers have found that, similar to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients, their first-degree relatives also carry an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Although the close relatives of PCOS patients have been shown to display higher insulin resistance (IR), androgen levels, and rates of type II diabetes than control groups, "relatively few studies have investigated cardiovascular risk" in these individuals, say Murat Yilmaz (Kirikkale University Faculty of Medicine) and team.
Accordingly, they evaluated IR, glucose tolerance status, and cardiovascular risk in mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers of 55 PCOS patients and 75 control individuals with no family history of PCOS or diabetes.
This revealed significantly higher fasting insulin levels and more insulin resistance in the first-degree relatives of case patients than in those of controls, as well as significantly lower insulin sensitivity and adiponectin levels. Serum homocysteine and resistin levels were significantly increased in the parents of PCOS patients, compared with those of controls, but not in their siblings.
The research "points to a need for the first degree relatives of PCOS patients to be monitored for diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease development, and suggests that preventive measures be taken," say the researchers.
"Further, large-scale and longitudinal studies are needed in this field," they add.
Posted: 6 September 2005
http://www.orgyn.com/en/news/2005/Week_36/Day_2/Close_relatives_of_P.asp?C=56821386020912731482 
Close relatives of PCOS patients show increased CVD risk 
