Affective temperaments and emotional traits are associated with a positive screening for premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
Preliminary evidence indicates that premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) may be frequently co-morbid with bipolar spectrum disorders. In addition, the manifestations of PMDD seem similar to a subthreshold depressive mixed state. Nevertheless, the associations between PMDD and affective temperaments and emotional traits have not been previously investigated.



A consecutive sample of 514 drug-free Brazilian women (mean age: 22.8; SD=5.4years) took part in this cross-sectional study. Screening for PMDD was obtained with the validated Brazilian Portuguese version of the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). Affective temperaments and emotional dimensions were evaluated with the Affective and Emotional Composite Temperament Scale (AFECTS). In addition, socio-demographic and data on menstrual cycle were collected.



According to the PSST, 83 (16.1%) women screened positive for PMDD, while 216 (42.0%) women had no/mild premenstrual symptoms. The cyclothymic temperament was independently associated with PMDD (OR=4.57; 95% CI: 2.11-9.90), while the euthymic temperament had an independent association with a lower likelihood of a positive screening for PMDD (OR=0.28; 95% CI: 0.12-0.64). In addition, anger and sensitivity emerged as emotional dimensions significantly associated with PMDD.



A positive screening for PMDD was associated with a predominant cyclothymic temperament, while an euthymic temperament was associated with a lower likelihood for a positive screening for PMDD. These data deserve replication in prospective studies.
Department of Clinical Medicine and Translational Psychiatry Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Rachel A
RA
Câmara
Department of Clinical Medicine and Translational Psychiatry Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Cristiano A
CA
Köhler
Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Medical University Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Revitalis, Waalre, The Netherlands.
Michael
M
Maes
Department of Clinical Medicine and Translational Psychiatry Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
Paulo R
PR
Nunes-Neto
Center for Clinical and Epidemiological Research & Interdisciplinary Center for Applied Neuromodulation (CINA), University Hospital, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Service of Interdisciplinary Neuromodulation (SIN), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine of University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM27), Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
André R
AR
Brunoni
Laboratório de Neurociências, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Unidade Acadêmica de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, Criciúma, Brazil; Center for Translational Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, USA.
João
J
Quevedo
Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Geelong, Australia; Laboratory of Calcium Binding Proteins in the Central Nervous System, Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Brisa S
BS
Fernandes
Department of Experimental and Clinic Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy; Institute of Behavioral Sciences "G. De Lisio", Pisa, Italy.
Giulio
G
Perugi
Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Greece.
Thomas N
TN
Hyphantis
Department of Clinical Medicine and Translational Psychiatry Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. Electronic address: andrefc7@terra.com.br.
André F
AF
Carvalho
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003527:Cyclothymic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D065446:Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D013694:Temperament; D055815:Young Adult