Evaluating the criteria used for identification of PMS.
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.
Dean
Bonnie B
BB
Cerner Health Insights, Beverly Hills, California 90212, USA. bdean@cerner.com
Borenstein
Jeff E
JE
Knight
Kevin
K
Yonkers
Kimberly
K
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