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Evidence against association between parity and NIDDM from five population groups
V R Collins1, G K Dowse, P Z Zimmet
1International Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
Diabetes Care
|November 1, 1991
Summary
This study found no significant link between the number of pregnancies and developing non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Parity did not independently predict abnormal glucose tolerance in these diverse island populations.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
- Reproductive Health
Background:
- Previous research suggested a link between parity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
- The reproducibility of this association across different populations remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between parity and the development of NIDDM and IGT in diverse island populations.
- To determine if the previously reported positive association is reproducible.
Main Methods:
- Population-based surveys were conducted in four Pacific and Indian Ocean island nations.
- Women aged 40+ (excluding those with pre-existing diabetes) underwent oral glucose tolerance tests.
- Data on parity, body mass index (BMI), and family history of diabetes were collected via interviews.
Main Results:
- Adjusted mean parity showed inconsistent relationships with worsening glucose tolerance across groups.
- The association between the number of pregnancies and prevalence of IGT/NIDDM was inconsistent.
- Logistic regression analyses revealed no significant odds ratio for NIDDM/IGT associated with each pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Little to no independent association exists between parity and abnormal glucose tolerance in the studied populations.
- The findings suggest parity is not a significant predictor of NIDDM or IGT in these diverse ethnic groups.