title: Duloxetine for premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a complex clinical syndrome that is notoriously difficult to treat. The purpose of the present study was to provide preliminary data on the effectiveness of duloxetine in PMDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-five women with PMDD were treated with a 60 mg/day dosage of duloxetine for two menstrual cycles. Responses were assessed at first and second treatment cycle.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outcome measures included a visual analogue scale, the Zung Self-rating Scale for Depression, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients completed the trial. All had significant improvement of depression and anxiety and response, defined as a 50% decrease in daily symptom scores, occurred in 39 (78%) patients. The effects of active treatment were marked by the first active cycle of menstruation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Duloxetine 60 mg/day was effective in reducing PMDD symptoms and generally well tolerated. Limitations of the study were open-label design and lack of placebo control. However, the results appeared to be strong and consistent across measures. Adverse events (nausea, insomnia, poor appetite) were low. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.
authors.affiliation: Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Institute of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mood Disorders Unit, Via Ugo De Carolis, 48 00136 Rome, Italy. marianna.mazza@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mazza
authors.forename: Desiree
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Harnic
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Catalano
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Janiri
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bria
mesh_terms: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011293:Premenstrual Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013876:Thiophenes