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Cohort study, 2018

How common is PMDD in young adult women and what factors increase the risk?

PMDD affected 17.6% of young adult women studied in Brazil and was more common in older women and those with lower income. The study relied on women remembering past symptoms, so the actual rate may differ.

Early or limited evidence 727 young adult women aged 18 to 24 years in southern Brazil

What they did

Cross-sectional study of 727 Brazilian women aged 18 to 24 years conducted from 2012 to 2014. Researchers assessed PMDD using the Mini International Neuropsychiatry Interview, a diagnostic tool.

What they found

The prevalence of PMDD was 17.6%. PMDD was significantly higher among older women and women from lower socio-economic status. Several mental health conditions were significantly associated with PMDD including current major depression disorder, agoraphobia, bipolar disorder, current suicide risk, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and specific phobia.

What it means for you

Because the study asked women to remember their past symptoms instead of tracking them as they happened, the findings may not be fully accurate. Clinicians should watch carefully for PMDD, especially in young women with lower income.

17.6%

Prevalence of PMDD

727

Number of women studied

18-24 years

Age range

About the study

Original title
Prevalence and factors associated with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A community sample of young adult women
Authors
de Carvalho AB, Cardoso TA, Mondin TC et al.
Journal
Psychiatry research
Year
2018
Study design
Cohort study
Participants
727
What was tested
None - observational study

Topics