The measurement of premenstrual mood symptoms

Introduction: To aid in the diagnosis and management of premenstrual syndromes, dozens of symptom measurement instruments have been created and several methods for classifying clinically important change in symptoms have been defined. While the diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) has become standardized through the application of research criteria, consensus amongst investigators as to the instruments best able to confirm the diagnosis and measure treatment effects has yet to be reached. Objective: To determine the performance and inter-correlations of three prospective symptom rating scales used to establish severity of premenstrual mood symptoms and measure efficacy during a treatment trial for premenstrual dysphoria. Methods: Single item visual analogue scales (VASs) for irritability, tension, depression and mood swings were used in combination with the Premenstrual Tension Syndrome Observer (PMTS-O) and Self-Rating (PMTS-SR) scales to measure the severity of premenstrual mood symptoms at baseline and during treatment. Results: Premenstrual mood symptoms as measured by VASs significantly correlated with PMTS-0 and PMTS-SR scale scores (range 0.70 to 0.82, P