Survey study, 2000
Can the Premenstrual Assessment Form questionnaire diagnose PMDD?
The questionnaire correctly identified most women with PMDD symptoms compared to healthy women, but it cannot confirm a definite PMDD diagnosis alone. Daily symptom tracking is needed.
What they did
Compared a questionnaire in 30 women seeking treatment for PMDD symptoms and 16 healthy control women. 16 symptomatic women also completed daily ratings over two menstrual cycles.
What they found
97% of women with PMDD symptoms met questionnaire depressive criteria vs 12% of controls (chi-square 29.9, p<0.001). Symptomatic women reported more severe symptoms on all scales. Of the 16 who did daily tracking, only half had PMDD diagnosis confirmed. The questionnaire had high sensitivity but low specificity.
What it means for you
The questionnaire can screen for PMDD but should not be used alone for diagnosis. Daily symptom tracking over cycles is needed to confirm the condition. The study was small with limited follow-up, which limits confidence in the findings.
97%
Symptomatic women meeting questionnaire criteria
12%
Control women meeting criteria
p<0.001
Statistical significance
About the study
- Original title
- Clinical utility of the premenstrual assessment form as an instrument auxiliary to the diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Authors
- Nogueira Pires ML, Calil HM
- Journal
- Psychiatry research
- Year
- 2000
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 30
- What was tested
- Premenstrual Assessment Form questionnaire
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0165-1781(00)00151-7
Topics
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