Efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin B-6 in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome.


METHODS
Systematic review of published and unpublished randomised placebo controlled trials of the effectiveness of vitamin B-6 in the management of premenstrual syndrome.


METHODS
Nine published trials representing 940 patients with premenstrual syndrome.


METHODS
Proportion of women whose overall premenstrual symptoms showed an improvement over placebo. A secondary analysis was performed on the proportion of women whose premenstrual depressive symptoms showed an improvement over placebo.


RESULTS
Odds ratio relative to placebo for an improvement in overall premenstrual symptoms was 2.32 (95% confidence interval 1.95 to 2.54). Odds ratio relative to placebo for an improvement in depressive symptoms was 1.69 (1.39 to 2.06) from four trials representing 541 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Conclusions are limited by the low quality of most of the trials included. Results suggest that doses of vitamin B-6 up to 100 mg/day are likely to be of benefit in treating premenstrual symptoms and premenstrual depression.
Wyatt
K M
KM
Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, North Staffordshire Hospital, Stoke on Trent ST4 6QG.
Dimmock
P W
PW
Jones
P W
PW
Shaughn O'Brien
P M
PM
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011736:Pyridoxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011736:Pyridoxine