title: Explorative evaluation of the impact of premenstrual disorder on daily functioning and quality of life.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  : To assess the effects of premenstrual disorders on health-related quality of life (HR-QOL), hobbies and social activities, and relationships with others in the multinational IMPACT study.
  
  
  METHODS
  : Women aged 15-45 years were screened for suspected premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and invited to participate in this web-based study. Based on the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP), prospectively assessed over two observational cycles, participants were grouped into two categories: no perceived symptoms/mild PMS or moderate-to-severe PMS/PMDD. HR-QOL was assessed retrospectively at baseline using the SF-12.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : Overall, 1477 women started the study. Of these, 822 (56%) completed the DRSP and SF-12 questionnaires as planned. Moderate-to-severe PMS/PMDD was associated with a reduction in HR-QOL compared with no perceived symptoms/mild PMS for both mental component scores (34.5 ± 8.7 vs 39.0 ± 9.5) and physical component scores (48.9 ± 7.9 vs 51.1 ± 7.2). Women with moderate-to-severe PMS/PMDD experienced a significantly greater mean number of days with at least moderate interference with hobbies or social activities (5.6 vs 1.1 day; p < 0.05, t-test), and relationships with others (5.4 vs 1.1 day) than those with no perceived symptoms/mild PMS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : Moderate-to-severe PMS/PMDD has a negative impact on HR-QOL, hobbies and social activities, and relationships with others. Studies with a confirmatory design are needed to confirm these results.
authors.affiliation: 1 Berlin Center for Epidemiology and Health Research, Berlin, Germany 2 Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Lothar A J
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Heinemann
authors.forename: Thai
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Do Minh
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filonenko
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uhl-Hochgräber