Familial clustering of metabolic phenotype in brothers of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex polygenic endocrine disorder. Familial clustering of phenotype has been known and it endorses the heritability of the disease. Among brothers of women with PCOS, we found significantly higher waist circumference, elevated blood pressure and insulin resistance when compared with age and BMI matched controls. Serum DHEAS level (6.2 vs. 4.5 μmol/L) was also significantly elevated among brothers. These findings in Indian ethnicity are concordant with previous studies and emphasize the need for counseling the first-degree family members of women with PCOS for lifestyle modification to reduce future risk of metabolic syndrome. We reiterate that insulin resistance (independent of obesity) and DHEAS may represent a PCOS phenotype. Funding agency - intramural grant Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences. CTRI registration number CTRI/2017/02/007891.