Cardiovascular disease risk in first-degree relatives of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

To assess the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the parents of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients using carotid intima medial thickness (CIMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Hospital-based case-control study. Endocrine clinic of a medical institute in India. Case group of 41 fathers and 45 mothers of PCOS patients (confirmed by Rotterdam's criteria) compared with 42 men and 44 women matched by age, sex and body mass index (BMI) as controls. CVD risk in parents of PCOS patients assessed via CIMT and FMD then correlated with various clinical and metabolic parameters. Differences in CIMT and FMD between parents and controls. The CIMT was higher [0.6 (0.54-0.8) vs. 0.5 (0.45-0.55) mm] and brachial artery FMD was lower [11.9% (6.9%-16.2%) vs. 16.7% (13.5%-22.6%)] in the parents of PCOS patients as compared with the controls. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and fasting and 2-hour plasma glucose were higher in the parents of the PCOS patients. The prevalence of CVD risk factors such as systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, abdominal obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and a family history of coronary artery disease in first-degree relatives was also higher in the parents of PCOS patients. The prevalence of diabetes was higher in the fathers of PCOS women, but other cardiovascular disease risk factors, CIMT, and FMD were comparable among the mothers. The parents of PCOS patients have an increased CVD risk as evidenced by increased CIMT and low FMD.