title: Characterization of symptoms and edema distribution in premenstrual syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Premenstrual syndrome is a group of symptoms linked to the menstrual cycle, and edema is among these symptoms. Physiotherapy is often sought by many patients for the treatment of edema; however, for an adequate prescription of physiotherapeutic procedures, the distribution of edema throughout the body has yet to be characterized.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the most frequent symptoms and body regions that present with edema in women during the premenstrual period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty women with a mean age of 24.6±4.7 years were evaluated during their premenstrual (between days 21 and 28) and menstrual period (between days 1 and 3), and the collected data included body mass, height, biotype (body-fat distribution), face, breast, limb-circumference measurements, and limb-volume estimate, and an adapted version of the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool was used. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test and the test for equality of two proportions (P≤0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Premenstrual syndrome was identified in 91.7% of the women, and the most frequent symptoms were irritability (73.33%) and physical symptoms, including swelling (65%), and anxiety (58.3%). Edema was detected in the following areas: facial, epigastric, mammary, umbilical, and pubic, the mid-third of the arms, distal forearm, in both thighs and in the mid-third of the legs determined by circumference measurements, and in both upper and lower limbs, according to the estimated volume.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study population, the most frequent symptoms were irritability, physical symptoms, and anxiety, with distribution of edema in the face, breast, abdomen, pubic area, distal upper limb, and proximal lower limb.
authors: Physical Therapy Department, São Camilo University Center, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Pascale Mutti
authors: PM
authors: Tacani
authors: Physical Therapy Department, São Camilo University Center, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Danielle de Oliveira
authors: Dde O
authors: Ribeiro
authors: Physical Therapy Department, São Camilo University Center, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Barbara Evelyn
authors: BE
authors: Barros Guimarães
authors: Physical Therapy Department, São Paulo City University (UNICID), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Aline Fernanda Perez
authors: AF
authors: Machado
authors: Physical Therapy Department, São Camilo University Center, São Paulo, Brazil ; Physical Therapy Department, São Paulo City University (UNICID), São Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Rogério Eduardo
authors: RE
authors: Tacani
keywords: affective symptoms; body surface area; edema; menstrual cycle; premenstrual syndrome; women’s health