High Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in First-Degree Male Relatives of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Is Related to High Rates of Obesity

Abstract

Male relatives of women with PCOS had increased prevalence rates of MetS and obesity compared to the general U.S. male population from NHANES III. In contrast to women with PCOS and their female relatives, the higher prevalence of MetS in male relatives was accounted for by elevated BMI. These findings suggest that the high rates of MetS in male relatives of women with PCOS are related to higher rates of obesity than the general population.