Survey study, 2025
Can a new screening tool identify PMS in working women and predict work absences?
Yes, researchers developed a 27-item screening tool that accurately identified PMS about 78% of the time and predicted work absences. However, it missed some cases.
What they did
A multidisciplinary panel created 47 screening items. Researchers then tested these items on 3,239 working women who completed a survey via the internet. They used statistical methods to identify the best items and refine the tool.
What they found
331 women (10%) had PMS. 393 women (12%) had taken sick leave because of PMS symptoms. The final screening tool had 27 items across four domains: physical symptoms, psychological symptoms, lack of work efficiency, and abdominal symptoms. The tool correctly identified PMS 78% of the time and correctly ruled it out 57% of the time.
What it means for you
A new screening tool could help employers and doctors detect PMS and predict work absences. However, this was a single cross-sectional study that included only women reached via internet survey. The tool still missed some cases of PMS.
10%
had PMS
12%
took sick leave for PMS
78%
correctly identified PMS
About the study
- Original title
- Development and validation of a premenstrual symptom screening tool for working women in relation to absenteeism
- Authors
- Takenoshita C, Shimizu K, Iida M et al.
- Journal
- BMC women's health
- Year
- 2025
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 3,239
- What was tested
- Screening tool development and validation study (no treatment tested)
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-04092-5
Topics
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