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.
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
Topics
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