Case-control study, 1986
Is a simple 6-item symptom scale a reliable way to measure PMS?
Yes. A simple 6-item scale showed strong agreement with longer, established symptom measurement tools, suggesting it could work well in clinical practice.
What they did
140 women with suspected PMS completed three different symptom questionnaires over two menstrual cycles: a 6-item scale, a 36-item Self-Rating Scale, and a 35-item calendar tracking symptom severity. 73 were diagnosed with PMS based on clinical criteria and the longer scales.
What they found
The 6-item scale scores were strongly correlated with both longer measurement tools. The simple scale accurately detected changes in symptom severity across the menstrual cycle.
What it means for you
A 6-item scale could be practical for doctors to track PMS because it matches longer scales while taking less time to complete. This might make women more likely to actually fill it out during appointments. The study only tested this one simplified format.
6
items in the simplified scale
73
women diagnosed with PMS
140
women initially studied
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome: documentation by a linear analog scale compared with two descriptive scales
- Authors
- Casper RF, Powell AM
- Journal
- American journal of obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 1986
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 73
- What was tested
- Evaluation of a simplified 6-item symptom scale
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0002-9378(86)80040-0