title: Evaluating the criteria used for identification of PMS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Criteria for defining premenstrual syndrome (PMS) were assessed by comparing a reference definition previously demonstrated to be associated with reduced health-related quality of life and impaired productivity with alternative definitions based on criteria stringency variations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Health-related quality of life data were collected from the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) for women aged 18-64 years. Women maintained daily calendars of emotional and physical symptoms and work productivity. PMS prevalence and differences in health-related quality of life and work productivity between women with and without PMS were compared using alternative definitions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Across criteria, PMS prevalence ranged from 19% to 30%. Regardless of the criteria used, PMS was associated with reductions in health-related quality of life, with Mental Components Subscale scores 5-12 points lower for women with PMS compared to those without PMS. Likewise, across definitions, women with PMS had greater work productivity impairment than women without PMS, netting 4 additional days with reduced productivity per month.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PMS prevalence varies based on criteria used to define illness. However, PMS is associated with reductions in health-related quality of life and work productivity impairment regardless of the criteria used.
authors.affiliation: Cerner Health Insights, Beverly Hills, California 90212, USA. bdean@cerner.com
authors.forename: Bonnie B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.forename: Jeff E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Borenstein
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yonkers
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration