Premenstrual Symptom Screening Tool: A Useful Tool for DSM-5 Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Abstract

Anahtar KelimelerAybaşı Öncesi Sendromu; Tanı; Tarama Abstract Aim: To assess the usefulness of Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST) in detecting Premenstrual Dysphoric Syndrome (PMDD) and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) in a Turkish sample. Material and Method: One hundred and eighteen women were included in the study. Participants were menstruating women, between the ages of 18 and 49 years who work in various departments of Diskapi Yildirim Beyazit Teaching and Research Hospital. Sociodemographic data collection form, PSST, and Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R) were given to the participants, filled out by participants and checked out by researchers. Participants were divided into three groups (i.e., women with subthreshold premenstrual symptoms, women with PMDD, and women with PMS) according to the scores they get on the PSST. These groups were compared according to PSST scores and SCL-90-R scores. Results: Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach α=0.928) for the items of the tool. In this sample, the prevalence of the PMDD and PMS were 15.2 % (n=18) and 32.2 % (n=38) respectively. When we compare the scores on SCL-90-R subscales there were significant differences between the PMDD, PMS, and women with subthreshold groups. Besides there were significant differences for the three groups in terms of percentages of women who reported moderate to severe symptoms on the four items that are essential to PMDD diagnosis. Discussion: Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool is a useful tool to detect candidates for PMDD and moderate to severe PMS.

Premenstrual disorders among young Turkish women: According to DSM‐IV and DSM‐V criteria using the premenstrual symptoms screening tool

“…In line with the literature, the participation criteria were age 15-24 years, at least 2 years from menarche, regular menstrual cycle (22-35 days), not using oral contraceptives or antidepressants, no existing medical and psychiatric disorders, and willingness to participate in the research. 1,3,9 2.2 | Instrumentation…”

“…Each item is rated on a four-point scale (not at all = 0, mild = 1, moderate = 2, severe = 3) (Table 3). 4,20 The Turkish version of PSST was based on the study by Özdel et al 1 and Steiner et al 4 DSM-V diagnostic criteria were used for PMDD in Turkish PSST adaptation. In the Turkish PSST adaptation, two questions were added to the third domain group C according to the DSM-V criteria: (a) Whether symptoms had been experienced in the time before menstruation in two consecutive cycles and (b) whether the symptoms experienced were at the same or similar level of discomfort as most months of the previous year.…”

“…These disturb women in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and affect women's physical and psychological wellbeing. 1,2 PMDD is a more severe form of PMS. It is a depressive impairment that can also cause functional impairment and includes cyclical psychological, cognitive, and somatic symptoms.…”

“…2 The common symptoms of PMDD are excessive tension, irritability, desperate mood, depression, extreme anger, decreased interest in daily activity, and low self-esteem. 1,2,6,7 Not all women with PMS symptoms experience PMDD symptoms, but all women with PMDD symptoms also experience PMS symptoms. 3,8 PMS symptoms begin after menarche between age 14 and 17 years, and the most serious symptoms are observed between ages 25 and 35 years.…”

“…Symptoms usually fade during menopause. 1,4,9 Between 50% and 95% of women of reproductive age experience at least one PMS symptom. [9][10][11] The incidence of PMS worldwide also varies from mild (70%-95%), moderate (20%-70%), and severe PMS/PMDD (1%-20%).…”