An inverse problem is solved, by stating that the regular linear functionals u and v associated to linearly related sequences of monic orthogonal polynomials (P n ) n and (Q n ) n , respectively, in the sensefor all n = 0, 1, 2, . . . (where r i,n and s i,n are complex numbers satisfying some natural conditions), are connected by a rational modification, i.e., there exist polynomials φ and ψ, with degrees M and N , respectively, such that φu = ψv. We also make some remarks concerning the corresponding direct problem, stating a characterization theorem in the case N = 1 and M = 2. As an example, we give a linear relation of the above type involving Jacobi polynomials with distinct parameters. 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.