A Follow-Up Study of Premenstrual Syndrome

Background: Previous data suggest that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and affective disorder are related. The purpose of this preliminary study was to ascertain (1) whether women with PMS have an increased risk for future major depressive episodes compared with controls and (2) whether PMS is a stable diagnosis over time.

Method: Patients with prospectively confirmed PMS, along with retrospective DSM-IV premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and asymptomatic controls were studied at 5- to 12-year follow- up using a structured clinical interview. Additionally, those women who still had regular cycles and were medication-free were asked to complete 2 months of prospective daily ratings.

Results: Women with PMS (N = 27) had a nonsignificantly higher incidence of new-onset depressive episodes (DSM-III-R and Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia-Lifetime Version [SADS-L] criteria) during a 5- to 12-year follow-up compared with controls (N = 21). Differences in incidence disappeared when patients and controls without prior history of depression were compared. Prospective ratings completed during follow-up confirmed original diagnoses of PMS patients (N = 7) and controls (N = 11).

Conclusion: While preliminary, these results suggest that the higher rate of major depression in patients with PMS during follow-up reflects the higher risk attendant to the history of major depression that existed at baseline. Additionally, at least in a small subsample, PMS appears to be a stable diagnosis over time.