Survey study, 1984
Why do PMS studies give such different results?
Because researchers have not carefully defined what PMS is, chosen groups of women who are similar to each other, or asked clear questions before starting their studies.
What they did
Reviewed available evidence on what PMS is, what causes it, and how to treat it. Identified problems with how previous studies were designed.
What they found
Researchers have failed to carefully define the premenstrual syndromes, formulate answerable questions, or select homogeneous groups. This causes contradictory results and confusion about the cause and treatment of PMS.
What it means for you
Future research on PMS needs better planning and clearer definitions. The authors recommend that investigators and clinicians be more careful about studying the relationship between mood changes and the menstrual cycle.
Review article
No empirical data presented
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndromes: overview from a methodologic perspective
- Authors
- Rubinow DR, Roy-Byrne P
- Journal
- The American journal of psychiatry
- Year
- 1984
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- None; review article
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1176/ajp.141.2.163
Topics
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