Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Evaluation of Hepatic Glucose Production in a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mouse Model
Published on: March 5, 2022
Is grand multiparity associated with an increased risk of dysglycaemia?
D Simmons1, J Shaw, A McKenzie
1University of Auckland Waikato Clinical School, Waikato Hospital, Private Bag 3200, Pembroke Street, Hamilton, New Zealand. simmonsd@waikatodhb.govt.nz
Aims/Hypothesis:
We sought to determine the risk of diabetes and IGT/IFG with grand multiparity.
Subjects, Materials And Methods:
Women, aged > or =25 years, from the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study and the Crossroads Undiagnosed Disease Study (a rural study in Victoria, Australia), participated in a household census (response 67 and 70%, respectively), subsequently attending a biomedical examination that included an oral glucose tolerance test (58% [6198] and 69% [819]).
Results:
After adjusting for age, obesity and socio-economic status, diabetes, but not IGT/IFG, was less common among women with a parity of 1 to 2 (odds ratio [OR]=0.64 [0.48-0.84]) and 3 to 4 (OR=0.72 [0.53-0.96]) than in grand multiparous women. This relationship was unrelated to past hysterectomy, use of the oral contraceptive pill or menopausal status.
Conclusions/Interpretation:
Grand multiparity is associated with an increased risk of diabetes but not of IGT/IFG. We postulate that parity accelerates transition from IGT/IFG to diabetes, more than it does transition from normal glucose tolerance to IGT/IFG.
Related Concept Videos
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Hyperglycemia
Diabetes Mellitus: Introduction
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications