Comparison of Scales for Evaluating Premenstrual Symptoms in Women Using Oral Contraceptives

Study Objective. To compare two scales used in research to evaluate daily premenstrual mood symptoms during use of a monophasic oral contraceptive. Design. Subanalysis of data from a prospective study. Setting. University‐affiliated medical center. Subjects. One hundred two reproductive‐aged (18–48 yrs) women taking a monophasic oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone in the standard 21‐7 fashion (21 days of hormones followed by 7 days of placebo), and who had self‐identified premenstrual symptoms of headache, mood changes, or pelvic pain. Intervention. Subjects completed a single‐item questionnaire, the Scott & White Daily Diary of Symptoms, and a multiple‐item questionnaire, the Penn State Daily Symptom Report (DSR), to assess their premenstrual symptoms. The Scott & White diary used a visual analog scale of 0–10 to assess pelvic pain, headache, and mood (a composite of anxiety, depression, and irritability). The Penn State DSR contained 17 items: 10 behavioral and seven physical components, each rated on a scale of 0–4, with one item that specifically rated mood swings. Measurements and Main Results. Scores from the two scales were compared by using Spearman correlation coefficients, the Kendall W for concordance, and linear regression of ranked sums for study cycles. The Scott & White mood score significantly correlated with the total of the 17 items on the Penn State DSR, as well as the 10 behavioral items, the seven physical items, and the single mood‐swing item (p