Case-control study, 2005
How much does premenstrual syndrome cost in medical care and lost work?
PMS diagnosis is associated with $59 more in annual healthcare costs and $4,333 more in annual lost work productivity compared to not having PMS.
What they did
Case-control economic analysis of 374 women aged 18-45 with regular menstrual periods. Researchers used health insurance claims and Medicare Fee Schedule to calculate direct medical costs. They asked women to self-report days of work missed and reduced productivity at work to calculate indirect costs.
What they found
Of the 374 women, 29.6% (111 women) were diagnosed with PMS. Women with PMS had an average annual increase of $59 in direct healthcare costs (P < 0.026) and $4,333 in indirect costs from lost work productivity (P < 0.0001) compared to women without PMS.
What it means for you
The economic burden of PMS is primarily lost work productivity, not medical expenses. The study is relatively small and relies on women's self-reported work absences and productivity, which may not be accurate. The findings may not apply to all women or populations.
29.6%
Percentage diagnosed with PMS
$59
Annual increase in direct healthcare costs
$4,333
Annual increase in lost work productivity costs
About the study
- Original title
- Estimating direct and indirect costs of premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Borenstein J, Chiou CF, Dean B et al.
- Journal
- Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
- Year
- 2005
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 111
- What was tested
- None (economic analysis)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/01.jom.0000150209.44312.d1
Topics
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