Assessment of anxiety and depression in adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between primary dysmenorrhea and symptoms of depression and anxiety among adolescent female students in Tbilisi, Georgia.


METHODS
A case-control study.


METHODS
Tbilisi, Georgia.


METHODS
Four hundred twenty-four postmenarcheal girls aged 14-20 years (a subset of a larger study involving 2561 girls).


METHODS
The data was gathered in 2011 by the use of a questionnaire prepared for the purpose of this study, completed anonymously. Menstrual pattern, depression and anxiety level were evaluated in both groups; continuous and categorical variables were compared by Pearson chi-square test. Depressive symptoms were determined by a self-reporting scale (Beck Depression Inventory); anxiety was determined using Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (TMAS) and Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).


METHODS
Differences in mental health between two groups.


RESULTS
Patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PD) had significantly higher scores of depression than the control subjects: moderate depression, 15.9% in PD patients vs 6.2% in control subjects and severe depression, 1.8% vs 0% (P < .003, LR 0.001). High anxiety (TMAS) was also more prevalent in adolescents with primary dysmenorrhea (44% vs 9.9%; P < .001, LR < 0.001). STAI scores were also significantly higher in these patients than in healthy women (68.9% vs 25.0%; P < .001, LR < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Primary dysmenorrhea is strongly linked with positive scores for depression and anxiety. Because of this association, attention should be given to effective mental health screening in these patients; psychological support may be necessary during their treatment and follow-up.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Tvildiani Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia. Electronic address: Tinatingagua@gmail.com.
Tinatin
T
Gagua
Besarion
B
Tkeshelashvili
David
D
Gagua
Nino
N
McHedlishvili
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057566:Self Report; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Adolescent; Anxiety; Depression; Primary dysmenorrhea; Reproductive health