Prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in female patients with seasonal affective disorder.
BACKGROUND
Both seasonal affective disorder/winter type (SAD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) are cyclical disorders characterized by so-called atypical depressive symptoms. In the present study we compared the point prevalence rates of PMDD between a sample of premenopausal female patients suffering from SAD and healthy female controls.


METHODS
Forty-six female patients with SAD and 46 healthy controls were included in our study. All subjects underwent a semistructured clinical interview according to DSM IV criteria and completed the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire. PMDD was diagnosed in a self-rating interview for PMDD according to DSM IV criteria. To verify the diagnosis of PMDD, all patients were followed up in stable summer remission using daily self-rating scales for two full menstrual cycles.


RESULTS
Patients with SAD fulfilled significantly more often the diagnostic criteria for PMDD than female healthy controls (46% vs. 2%, respectively; chi-square: P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results provide preliminary evidence for a high point prevalence rate of PMDD in premenopausal females with SAD.


CONCLUSIONS
It would be worthwhile to investigate whether an additional diagnosis of PMDD has an impact on the clinical outcome and the response to bright light therapy in female patients with SAD.
Praschak-Rieder
N
N
Department of General Psychiatry, University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. nicole.praschak-rieder@akh-wien.ac.at
Willeit
M
M
Neumeister
A
A
Hilger
E
E
Stastny
J
J
Thierry
N
N
Lenzinger
E
E
Kasper
S
S
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010789:Phototherapy; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome