Parity, ethnic group and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes: the Coventry Diabetes Study.

The prevalence of Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent diabetes) in relation to parity was compared among South Asian (Asian) and European women during a cross-sectional house-to-house screening programme for diabetes in Foleshill, Coventry, UK. The parity of female residents was ascertained in 8 of the 12 areas visited. These areas contained 2096 European (68 with diabetes diagnosed) and 1148 Asian women (95 with diabetes diagnosed). Crude prevalence of Type 2 diabetes was 3.2% and 14.7% in Europeans aged 30-64 years and > or = 65 years, respectively, and 10.9% and 36.5% in similarly aged Asians, respectively. In those aged 30-64 years, the age and body mass index adjusted prevalence of Type 2 diabetes was highest among nulliparous (Europeans 4.4%, Asians 16.3%) and grand multiparous (parity > or = 5: Europeans 6.3%, Asians 16.5%) women when compared with women who had had 1 or 2 deliveries (Europeans 0.9%, Asians 3.3%, p < 0.001, both ethnic groups). However, parity had no effect among women aged > or = 65 years.