---
title: Do different ways of defining PMS give different prevalence rates?
description: Yes. PMS prevalence ranged from 19% to 30% depending on the definition used. However, all definitions showed that PMS reduces quality of life and work product
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/evaluating-the-criteria-used-for-identification-of-pms-2006/
---

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- Do different ways of defining PMS give different prevalence rates?

Cohort study, 2006

# Do different ways of defining PMS give different prevalence rates?

Yes. PMS prevalence ranged from 19% to 30% depending on the definition used. However, all definitions showed that PMS reduces quality of life and work productivity.

 Early or limited evidence

Women aged 18-64 years

## What they did

Researchers compared different PMS definitions using data from women aged 18-64 who kept daily records of emotional and physical symptoms and work productivity. They measured quality of life using the SF-36 questionnaire and compared outcomes between women with and without PMS.

## What they found

PMS prevalence ranged from 19% to 30% across definitions. Women with PMS had mental health scores 5 to 12 points lower than women without PMS. Women with PMS experienced 4 additional days per month with reduced work productivity.

## What it means for you

How doctors define PMS changes how common they say it is. But PMS reduces quality of life and work regardless of which definition is used. The main limitation is the small sample size.

19-30%

PMS prevalence range across definitions

5-12 points

lower mental health scores with PMS

4 days/month

additional days with reduced work productivity

## About the study

Original title Evaluating the criteria used for identification of PMS Authors Dean BB, Borenstein JE, Knight K et al. Journal Journal of women's health (2002) Year 2006 Study design Cohort study Participants 12 What was tested No intervention. Read the paper [doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2006.15.546](https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2006.15.546)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Work and productivity](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-work/)[Quality of life and daily functioning](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-quality-of-life/)

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