The influence of ethnic origin, body mass index, and parity on the frequency of gestational diabetes was assessed in 11,205 consecutive women attending a multiracial antenatal clinic in London, where all women were screened for gestational diabetes. Logistic regression was used to model the relationship between gestational diabetes and ethnic origin, age, body mass index (BMI), and parity. Results were presented as adjusted odds ratios, where the reference categories are White women, age < 25 years, BMI < 27, and parity < 3. Ethnic origin was the dominant influence on the prevalence of gestational diabetes. Women from ethnic groups other than White had a higher frequency of gestational diabetes than White women (2.9% vs 0.4%, p < 0.001). Compared to White women the relative risk of gestational diabetes in the other ethnic groups was: Black 3.1 (95% confidence limits 1.8-5.5), South East Asian 7.6 (4.1-14.1), Indian 11.3 (6.8-18.8), and miscellaneous 5.9 (3.5-9.9). Increasing age was an independent risk factor. The relative risk was higher in women > or = 35 years in all ethnic groups other than in South East Asian women. Obesity (BMI > or = 27) was a further independent risk factor in all ethnic groups except in the Indian and South East Asian women. Parity > or = 3 increased the relative risk of gestational diabetes in the White, Black, and South East Asian women only.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aims/hypothesis: The aim of this study was to study differences in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its associations with prevalent CHD according to ethnicity and sex. Methods: We performed a combined analysis of two population-based cross-sectional studies conducted between 1988 and 1991 that followed identical protocols. Participants (aged 40-69 years) comprised 2,346 Europeans (76% male), 1,711 South Asians (83% male) and 803 African-Caribbeans (57% male) resident in west London. Fasting blood, overnight urine collection, clinical and anthropometric measurements were performed. Clinical history or major ECG changes defined prevalent CHD. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the criteria recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Cholesterol Education Programme (NCEP). Results: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was highest in South Asians (WHO, men 46%, women 31%; NCEP, men 29%, women 32%) and lowest in European women (WHO, 9%; NCEP, 14%). The prevalence of CHD was 10% in South Asian men, 9% in European men, 5-6% in African-Caribbeans and European women, and 2% in South Asian women. The metabolic syndrome was associated with prevalent CHD in European men [NCEP, odds ratio (OR)=1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.4; WHO, OR=1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5] and South Asian men (NCEP, OR=2.1, 95% CI 1.5-3.1; WHO, OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.3). Associations with CHD were weaker in African-Caribbeans and were inconsistent among European women. Conclusions/ interpretation: The current definitions of the metabolic syndrome give an inconsistent picture of cardiovascular disease risk when applied to different ethnic groups within the UK. Prospective studies are needed to validate workable ethnic-specific definitions.

Insulin insensitivity in polycystic ovary syndrome occurs when there is oligo/amenorrhoea but not when the menstrual cycle is regular. This is consistent with PCO and insulin insensitivity being separate abnormalities which when combined are associated with anovulation.

These results confirm previous reports of hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome. Furthermore, polycystic ovary syndrome subjects have a reduced postprandial thermogenesis which is related statistically to the reduced insulin sensitivity. The decreased postprandial thermogenesis may predispose women with polycystic ovary syndrome to weight gain.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with biochemical risk factors for premature vascular disease, which cannot be explained by obesity alone.