The association between anxiety and measures of glycaemia in a population-based diabetes screening programme

Diabet. Med. 28, 785–788 (2011)AbstractAim  To investigate associations between anxiety and measures of glycaemia in a White European and South Asian population attending community‐based diabetes screening.Methods  In total, 4688 White European and 1353 South Asian participants (aged 40–75 years) without a previous diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes underwent an oral glucose tolerance test and HbA1c measurement, detailed history, anthropometric measurements and completed the short‐form Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory.Results  Anxiety was significantly higher in South Asian participants (mean 34.1; sd 0.37) compared with White European participants (mean 29.8; sd 0.13). Significant correlations were not identified between anxiety and fasting (r = −0.01, P = 0.75), 2‐h glucose (r = −0.10, P = 0.24) or HbA1c (r = 0.01, P = 0.40).Conclusions  Anxiety levels at screening were greater among South Asian people. Fasting, 2‐h plasma glucose and HbA1c are not affected by anxiety during screening tests for diabetes. Current and proposed screening methods for diagnosis of diabetes are not affected by anxiety at screening.