Screen PCOS patients' sisters, mothers for diabetes. (Higher Androgen Levels, Insulin Resistance).

SAN FRANCISCO -- Sisters and mothers of women with polycystic ovary syndrome may have high androgen levels and insulin resistance that puts them at risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, even if they appear unaffected clinically.

That conclusion emerged from two studies presented at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society.

"Our results suggest that this group should be screened for a high risk of diabetes, although screening and long-term follow-up should be validated in further studies," said Dr. Bulent O. Yildiz, an investigator in one of the studies. He and his associates measured glucose tolerance and androgen levels in 102 first-degree relatives of 52 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Eighty-two matched controls were also evaluated.

Of the 37 mothers who were studied, 10% had diabetes and 26% had impaired glucose tolerance to a 2-hour glucose tolerance test. Only 1 of 19 sisters had impaired glucose tolerance, even though 3 had previously been diagnosed with PCOS.

Compared with the controls, however, the female relatives had higher androgen levels, and those who had normal glucose tolerance had higher insulin levels, suggestive of some insulin resistance, said Dr. Yildiz of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Mean testosterone levels were higher in the mothers (90 ng/dL vs. 41 ng/dL) and sisters (113 ng/dL vs. 64 ng/dL) than in controls. The mothers and sisters both had significantly higher fasting-insulin levels and lower fasting glucose to ...