A Survey of Metabolic Syndrome in First Degree Relatives of Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders among women. In addition to patients, their first degree relatives are exposed to some risk factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, abnormal lipoproteins and impaired glucose tolerance. This study was conducted in order to investigate the rate of metabolic syndrome in first degree relatives of polycystic ovarian syndrome patients.

This case-control study was conducted on 34 person of first degree relatives of polycystic ovarian syndrome patients who referred to health centers affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2007 as case group and 34 normal individuals who were selected as control group. Sampling was done on simple purposive. After registering their blood pressure, height and weight, a blood sample was obtained from all participants in order to assay their serum insulin, fasting blood sugar, 2hpp glucose, testosterone and lipoproteins. Metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance were investigated according to IDF ATPIII and QUICKI, HOMA criteria, respectively. Data were analyzed by independent t-test and Fisher's exact test as well as chi square using SPSS 11.5 software.

The mean of fasting blood sugar, serum testosterone, LDL were significantly lower in control group first degree relatives (p<0.05). The amounts of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and fasting insulin didn’t have significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05).

The first degree relatives of polycystic ovarian syndrome patients are exposed to high blood glucose and impaired lipoprotein levels.