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 HbA_1c 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 HbA_1c (r = 0.01, P = 0.40).

Conclusions  Anxiety levels at screening were greater among South Asian people. Fasting, 2-h plasma glucose and HbA_1c 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.