This UK-based study compared the effect of a previously validated invitation promoting informed choice for diabetes screening with a brief, standard invitation on attendance and motivation to engage in preventive action. The study cohort comprised 1272 people aged 40–69 years, at risk for diabetes, identified from practice registers using a validated risk score and invited to attend for screening. The primary end point (attendance for screening) was analysed for all 1272 participants. A total of 55.8% (353/633) of those in the informed choice group attended for screening, compared with 57.6% (368/639) in the standard invitation group (mean difference –1.8%; p=0.51). Those from more socially deprived groups were less likely to attend (most deprived third 47.5% vs least deprived third 64.3%; p<0.001), regardless of the type of invitation received. Among attenders, intention to change behaviour was strong and unaffected by invitation type.
