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Case-control study, 2021

Are there genetic differences between different types of PMDD?

Yes. Different PMDD subtypes show distinct genetic patterns that could eventually help diagnose which type a woman has and predict which treatments might work.

Moderate study design 127 Chinese women with PMDD (two clinical subtypes) and 108 Chinese controls

What they did

Case-control study examining genetic material from white blood cells in 127 Chinese women with two clinical subtypes of PMDD and 108 Chinese controls. Researchers used genome sequencing to look for copy number variation (areas where people have extra or missing DNA). Machine learning was used to see if genetic patterns could predict PMDD subtype.

What they found

Genetic patterns divided PMDD patients into two groups that matched the two clinical subtypes with 89.8% consistency. Machine learning could predict whether a genetic sample came from a woman with depression-type PMDD, invasion-type PMDD, or a control with over 80% accuracy. Certain genetic features related to steroid hormone production appeared protective against PMDD.

What it means for you

Genetic variation may explain why different women with PMDD experience different symptom patterns. This could eventually help doctors identify which type a woman has and choose better treatments. The study was limited to a Chinese population with two specific subtypes, so results may not apply to all women.

127

Chinese women with PMDD studied

108

Chinese controls

89.8%

consistency between genetic patterns and clinical subtypes

About the study

Original title
Copy number variation profile-based genomic subtyping of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in Chinese
Authors
Xue H, Wu Z, Long X et al.
Journal
bioRxiv
Year
2021
Study design
Case-control study
Participants
127

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