Randomised trial, 2007
Can a short questionnaire on the first day of menstruation screen for PMS?
Yes, the DRSP questionnaire given on the first day of menses can screen for PMS. It is better at ruling out PMS (correctly identifying 83-84% of women who don't have it) than at finding it (identifying 53-55% of women who do have it).
What they did
697 women completed a daily symptom questionnaire called the DRSP (Daily Record of Severity of Problems) with 21 symptom items. Two-thirds of the women were used to determine what scores suggest PMS, and the other third were used to test whether this approach worked.
What they found
Among all women, 30.4% had PMS. When the DRSP was given on the first day of menses alone, it correctly identified 83-84% of women without PMS and 53-55% of women with PMS, depending on which scoring method was used. A shorter 7-item version worked just as well as the full 21-item questionnaire.
What it means for you
The DRSP is a practical screening tool to identify women who may need further testing for PMS. It is particularly good at ruling out PMS. A simpler 7-item version works just as well as the full questionnaire, which could make screening easier.
697
women in study
30.4
percent with PMS
83-84
percent correctly ruled out PMS
About the study
- Original title
- Using the daily record of severity of problems as a screening instrument for premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Borenstein JE, Dean BB, Yonkers KA et al.
- Journal
- Obstetrics and gynecology
- Year
- 2007
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 697
- What was tested
- DRSP questionnaire validation as a screening tool
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/01.aog.0000259920.73000.3b