---
title: Can we reliably screen for PMDD using a simple questionnaire?
description: Yes. Researchers developed a 25-question tool that reliably identifies women with PMDD based on current diagnostic criteria. The tool showed good consistency
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/development-of-a-screening-instrument-to-assess-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-2016/
---

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- Can we reliably screen for PMDD using a simple questionnaire?

Survey study, 2016

# Can we reliably screen for PMDD using a simple questionnaire?

Yes. Researchers developed a 25-question tool that reliably identifies women with PMDD based on current diagnostic criteria. The tool showed good consistency and stability.

 Moderate study design

2,820 women aged mean 23.43 years in Spain

## What they did

Researchers developed a 25-item questionnaire and tested it in 2,820 Spanish-speaking women (mean age 23.43 years). They split the data into two groups of 1,410 each to test the questionnaire's structure and reliability.

## What they found

The questionnaire had two dimensions: Dysphoria (dysphoric symptoms and weight gain, ordinal alpha=0.88) and Apathy (apathetic and physical symptoms, ordinal alpha=0.84). Both dimensions displayed good internal consistency and moderate temporal stability. There was a positive relationship between Neuroticism and PMDD.

## What it means for you

The questionnaire appears valid and reliable for screening PMDD. However, this only shows the tool works, not what causes PMDD or how to treat it. The study was conducted in Spain in relatively young women, so results may differ in other groups.

2,820

women surveyed

25

items in questionnaire

0.88

consistency score for Dysphoria dimension

## About the study

Original title Development of a screening instrument to assess premenstrual dysphoric disorder as conceptualized in DSM-5 Authors Aperribai L, Alonso-Arbiol I, Balluerka N et al. Journal Journal of psychosomatic research Year 2016 Study design Survey study Participants 1,410 What was tested None; questionnaire validation study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.07.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2016.07.003)

## Topics

[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

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Does continuous paroxetine or birth control work better for PMDD?

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Study, 2026

How do women with PMDD process emotions differently in their brains?

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Can digital tools help diagnose PMDD?

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