Randomised trial, 2006
Are women screened for PMS/PMDD trials representative of all women with these conditions?
Not answered clearly. The paper raises concerns that screening procedures bias who gets recruited into trials, so study results may not apply to all women with PMS or PMDD.
What they did
This paper discusses methodological issues in how clinical trials screen and recruit patients with PMS and PMDD, particularly how telephone screening affects recruitment.
What they found
Initial screening procedures substantially affect how many eligible subjects are found. It is questionable whether women eventually selected actually represent the general population with PMS or PMDD.
What it means for you
This is a discussion of trial design problems, not a treatment study. It highlights potential bias in trial recruitment, meaning results from studies may not apply to all women with these conditions.
About the study
- Original title
- Screening of patients for clinical trials of premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder: methodological issues
- Authors
- Halbreich JT, Halbreich U, Smail N
- Journal
- Psychiatry research
- Year
- 2006
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- What was tested
- Not applicable
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2005.08.003
Topics
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