Adverse Cardiometabolic Outcomes in Men With Sisters With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Smaller clinical studies report risks of cardiometabolic dysfunction in brothers of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aim to investigate the risk of adverse cardiometabolic outcomes in men with a sister with PCOS in a large longitudinal population-based cohort.

Men born in Sweden (1973-2013) with ≥1 sister were followed from age 5 until 31 December 2018 (n = 1 098 203) and potential PCOS diagnoses in sisters identified. Risk of a clinical diagnosis of obesity, type 2 diabetes, or hypertension was estimated using Cox regression. In a subcohort, the association between categories of body mass index and blood pressure measured at age 18 to 20 years were estimated using logistic regression. Analyses were adjusted for birth year and parental education.

Men with a sister with PCOS had an increased risk of obesity [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 2.02; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.85-2.21], type 2 diabetes (aHR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.34-1.96), and hypertension (aHR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.08-1.43), compared to men with unaffected sisters. In the subcohort evaluated at age 18 to 20 (n = 147 802), having a sister with PCOS (n = 2970) was associated with being overweight [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.33; 95% CI: 1.19-1.49] and obese (aOR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.47-2.15) but not elevated blood pressure.

Having a sister with PCOS is associated with adverse cardiometabolic outcomes in men, already in early adulthood. Results contribute further knowledge on the familial impact of PCOS and highlight a patient group who may benefit from early screening and prevention.