Survey study, 2011
Is PTSD linked to a higher risk of PMDD?
Yes. Women with trauma and PTSD were 8.14 times more likely to have PMDD than women without trauma, and women with trauma but no PTSD were 2.84 times more likely.
What they did
Cross-sectional analysis of data from 3,968 women aged 18-40. Researchers examined whether trauma history and PTSD were independently linked to PMDD.
What they found
Women with trauma and PTSD had 8.14 times higher odds of PMDD (95% confidence interval 3.56-18.58) compared to women with no trauma. Women with trauma but no PTSD had 2.84 times higher odds (95% confidence interval 1.26-6.42). PTSD remained independently linked to PMDD even after accounting for trauma details. The same pattern appeared for general premenstrual symptoms.
What it means for you
Women with trauma and especially PTSD have much higher risk of PMDD. Doctors should ask about trauma history when treating PMDD, as treating both conditions may be more complex. This study was cross-sectional, so we cannot prove trauma causes PMDD. The researchers used existing data rather than collecting new information.
8.14
odds ratio for PMDD with trauma and PTSD
2.84
odds ratio for PMDD with trauma but no PTSD
3,968
women studied
About the study
- Original title
- Posttraumatic stress disorder and trauma characteristics are correlates of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Pilver CE, Levy BR, Libby DJ et al.
- Journal
- Archives of women's mental health
- Year
- 2011
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 3,968
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s00737-011-0232-4
Topics
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