Premenstrual dysphoric disorder diagnostic continuity and clinical variables

Objective: It is aimed to examine the continuity of diagnosis in patients with a diagnosis of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), and to show the role of clinical variables in the permanent diagnosis of patients with PMDD, by prospective symptom grading of patients with a temporary diagnosis of PMDD. Materials and Methods: Our study was carried out in Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine Balcalı Hospital Department of Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic. 95 women with a temporary diagnosis of PMDD and 64 control women with similar sociodemographic characteristics and no diagnosis of PMDD were included in the study. In addition to the sociodemographic data form created by us, the participants were administered the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale, Psychache Scale, Chronotype Questionnaire, Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, The Golombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3. An individual calendar was prepared for those with a temporary diagnosis of PMDD and they were asked to fill it out for 3 months. Results: In our study, 65.3 % of the patients with a temporary diagnosis of PMDD received a permanent diagnosis, while the remaining 34.7 % did not return to a permanent diagnosis. Psychache scale mean scores of PMDD patients were found to be significantly higher than the control group (p<0.001). While the mean anxiety sensitivity total score and subscales of those with a temporary diagnosis of PMDD were found to be significantly higher than the control group; In those with a permanent diagnosis of PMDD, both the total score (p=0.04) and the physical sensitivity subscale (p=0.01) were found to be significantly higher. While a significant correlation was found with dysmenorrhea in patients with temporary diagnosis of PMDD (p=0.03); This relationship could not be demonstrated in patients with a permanent diagnosis of PMDD. Conclusion: In our study, it is emphasized that a temporary diagnosis of PMDD does not always turn into a permanent diagnosis and that it should be evaluated prospectively. In addition, it has been shown that as the severity of PMDD increases, the severity of psychological pain increases, dyadic adjustment decreases, and anxiety sensitivity increases. Investigation of prospective clinical variables in large sample groups will contribute to the clarification of the subject. Keywords: Prospective, Clinical Variables, Premenstrual Syndrome, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder