---
title: Is the Daily Symptom Report a reliable way to diagnose PMS? | Niyora
description: Yes, the Daily Symptom Report is a reliable way to diagnose PMS, with very high internal consistency of 0.92. It measures mood, behavior, pain, and physical s
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/reliability-and-validity-of-a-daily-diary-for-premenstrual-syndrome-1996/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- Is the Daily Symptom Report a reliable way to diagnose PMS?

Survey study, 1996

# Is the Daily Symptom Report a reliable way to diagnose PMS?

Yes, the Daily Symptom Report is a reliable way to diagnose PMS, with very high internal consistency of 0.92. It measures mood, behavior, pain, and physical symptoms separately.

 Moderate study design

170 women with severe PMS seeking treatment, 54 healthy women

## What they did

They tested a 17-item Daily Symptom Report questionnaire in 170 women seeking treatment for severe PMS and 54 healthy women, measuring how consistent and valid it was.

## What they found

The DSR had very high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.92). Analysis found four factors: mood, behavioral items, pain, and physical symptoms. The DSR showed moderate correlations with standard depression and mood questionnaires, suggesting PMS overlaps with but is not the same as depression or anxiety.

## What it means for you

The Daily Symptom Report is a reliable tool for diagnosing PMS in clinical settings. The main limitation is this is a single validation study with relatively small numbers, so results need confirmation in other populations and settings.

0.92

Cronbach's alpha (internal consistency)

170

Women with severe PMS

54

Healthy comparison women

## About the study

Original title Reliability and validity of a daily diary for premenstrual syndrome Authors Freeman EW, DeRubeis RJ, Rickels K Journal Psychiatry research Year 1996 Study design Survey study Participants 170 What was tested Daily Symptom Report questionnaire Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/s0165-1781(96)02929-0](https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-1781(96)02929-0)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Anxiety disorders and OCD](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-anxiety-disorders/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Non-randomised trial, 2008

Can the Sheehan Disability Scale measure whether treatments work?

Randomised trial, 1999

Do SSRIs reduce premenstrual dysphoria symptoms?

Study, 2026

Do anxiety and depression get worse before your period if you already have a mental health condition?

Study, 2026

What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Survey study, 2026

Does the Chinese version of the PMS screening questionnaire work well?

Survey study, 2025

Is a Chinese version of a PMDD screening tool reliable and valid for identifying PMDD?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗