Persistent alterations in biological profiles in women with abuse histories: influence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
OBJECTIVE
To examine dysregulation in biological measures associated with histories of abuse in women and whether women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) differ in their dysregulation.


METHODS
Twenty-five women meeting prospective criteria for PMDD and 42 non-PMDD controls underwent structured interview to determine abuse histories and lifetime Axis I diagnoses, excluding those with current Axis I disorders or using medications.


METHODS
Plasma cortisol and norepinephrine (NE), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and vascular resistance index (VRI) were assessed at rest and in response to mental stress.


RESULTS
A greater proportion of PMDD women had prior abuse compared with non-PMDD women. Regardless of PMDD status, all abused women had lower plasma NE and higher HRs and tended to have lower plasma cortisol at rest and during stress. Abused women also reported more severe daily emotional and physical symptoms. Greater VRI and BP at rest and during stress were seen only in PMDD women with abuse.


CONCLUSIONS
There is persistent dysregulation in stress-responsive systems in all abused women that cannot be accounted for by current psychiatric illness or medications, and PMDD women may be differentially more vulnerable to the impact of abuse on measures reflecting alpha-adrenergic receptor function.
Girdler
Susan S
SS
Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. susan_girdler@med.unc.edu
Leserman
Jane
J
Bunevicius
Robertas
R
Klatzkin
Rebecca
R
Pedersen
Cort A
CA
Light
Kathleen C
KC
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009657:North Carolina; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013179:Spouse Abuse; D013315:Stress, Psychological
D015415:Biomarkers