Case-control study, 2001
Do women with seasonal depression have PMDD more often than other women?
Yes. Women with seasonal depression are much more likely to have PMDD - 46 percent versus 2 percent in a healthy control group (P<0.001).
What they did
Case-control study of 46 women with seasonal affective disorder and 46 healthy controls. All underwent semistructured clinical interviews per DSM IV criteria and Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire. PMDD was diagnosed with self-rating interview and verified with daily scales over two menstrual cycles.
What they found
Women with seasonal affective disorder fulfilled diagnostic criteria for PMDD significantly more often than healthy controls (46 percent versus 2 percent, chi-square P<0.001). This provides preliminary evidence for a high prevalence rate of PMDD in premenopausal women with seasonal affective disorder.
What it means for you
If you have seasonal depression, especially in winter, you may be more likely to have premenstrual mood symptoms. The two conditions may be related and might need coordinated treatment. However, this was a relatively small study, so larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
46%
PMDD in women with seasonal depression
2%
PMDD in healthy controls
P<0.001
Statistical significance
About the study
- Original title
- Prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in female patients with seasonal affective disorder
- Authors
- Praschak-Rieder N, Willeit M, Neumeister A et al.
- Journal
- Journal of affective disorders
- Year
- 2001
- Study design
- Case-control study
- What was tested
- None - comparison of SAD patients to healthy controls
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0165-0327(00)00176-2
Topics
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