Trauma and PTSD - an overlooked pathogenic pathway for premenstrual dysphoric disorder?
BACKGROUND
A recent epidemiological analysis on premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in the community revealed increased rates of DSM-IV posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women suffering from PMDD.


OBJECTIVE
To explore whether this association is artifactual or might have important pathogenic implications.


METHODS
Data come from a prospective, longitudinal community survey of an original sample of N=1488 women aged 14-24, who were followed-up over a period of 40 to 52 months. Diagnostic assessments are based on the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) using the 12-month PMDD diagnostic module. Data were analyzed using logistic regressions (odds ratios) and a case-by-case review.


RESULTS
The age adjusted odds ratio between PTSD and threshold PMDD was 11.7 (3.0-46.2) at baseline. 10 women with full PTSD and at least subthreshold PMDD were identified at follow-up. Most reported an experience of abuse in childhood before the onset of PMDD. Some had experienced a life-threatening experience caused by physical attacks, or had witnessed traumatic events experienced by others. 3 women reported more than one traumatic event.


CONCLUSIONS
A case-by-case review and logistic regression analyses suggest that women with traumatic events and PTSD have an increased risk for secondary PMDD. These observations call for more in-depth analyses in future research.
Wittchen
H-U
HU
Technical University of Dresden, Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Dresden, Germany. wittchen@mpipsykl.mpg.de
Perkonigg
A
A
Pfister
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D005859:Germany, East / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*