William U Atiomo1, Essam El-Mahdi, Paul Hardiman. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Human Development, University of Nottingham, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom. william.atiomo@nottingham.ac.uk
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To confirm whether there was a familial association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thromboembolic disease, ovarian or breast cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A university hospital in the United Kingdom. PATIENT(S): Two hundred and seventeen women with and without PCOS under the care of the same consultant gynecologist at a teaching hospital. INTERVENTION(S): Questionnaire survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Prevalence of a personal or positive family history of thromboembolism, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, and heart attacks. RESULT(S): In an analysis of the replies from 41 women with PCOS and 66 controls, we found a statistically significant positive family history of breast cancer and heart attacks among women with PCOS. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean age, ethnic origin, or prevalence of a family history of other diseases. CONCLUSION(S): Our results show a positive association between polycystic ovary syndrome and a family history of breast cancer and heart disease. These associations may be genetic in origin, or secondary to a complex interplay of genetic, intrauterine, and environmental factors. More studies are required to confirm these findings and determine the factors that explain these associations.
OBJECTIVE: To confirm whether there was a familial association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thromboembolic disease, ovarian or breast cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A university hospital in the United Kingdom. PATIENT(S): Two hundred and seventeen women with and without PCOS under the care of the same consultant gynecologist at a teaching hospital. INTERVENTION(S): Questionnaire survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Prevalence of a personal or positive family history of thromboembolism, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, diabetes, and heart attacks. RESULT(S): In an analysis of the replies from 41 women with PCOS and 66 controls, we found a statistically significant positive family history of breast cancer and heart attacks among women with PCOS. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean age, ethnic origin, or prevalence of a family history of other diseases. CONCLUSION(S): Our results show a positive association between polycystic ovary syndrome and a family history of breast cancer and heart disease. These associations may be genetic in origin, or secondary to a complex interplay of genetic, intrauterine, and environmental factors. More studies are required to confirm these findings and determine the factors that explain these associations.
Authors: Mary C Taylor; A Reema Kar; Allen R Kunselman; Christy M Stetter; Andrea Dunaif; Richard S Legro Journal: Hum Reprod Date: 2011-04-19 Impact factor: 6.918