Cohort study, 1990
Can premenstrual depression predict whether a woman will develop major depression later?
Yes, women whose premenstrual depression scores are higher have a greater risk of developing major depression in the future, and this predictive value holds even after accounting for family history and past depression.
What they did
36 women who had participated in previous menstrual cycle studies were assessed for the severity of their premenstrual depression using two different scales. They were then followed over time to track who developed major depressive disorder.
What they found
Premenstrual depression scores were significantly correlated with the development of major depression during follow-up, with a correlation of r equals 0.35. These scores had predictive value above and beyond two known major risk factors for major depression: family history of depression and the woman's own past history of depression. Scores from the Premenstrual Change Index were also correlated with developing major depression but did not add additional predictive power.
What it means for you
Premenstrual depression may be a useful marker to identify women at higher risk for developing major depression. However, this was a very small study of only 36 women followed over an unspecified time period, so results should be confirmed in larger studies.
36
women followed
0.35
correlation between premenstrual depression and future major depression
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual depression predicts future major depressive disorder
- Authors
- Graze KK, Nee J, Endicott J
- Journal
- Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica
- Year
- 1990
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 36
- What was tested
- None, observational follow-up study
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0447.1990.tb06479.x
Topics
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