In this study, we used the PSQ, which was developed in our previous study,17 (link) and the PMDD scale, which was developed by Miyaoka et al to screen for premenstrual symptoms.18 ,19 (link) In both PROM tools, the PMDD criteria from the DSM are translated into a rating scale with degrees of severity described in Japanese. The PSQ and the PMDD scale are therefore essentially identical to the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST).20 (link) The PSQ has been found to be useful in our previous studies,5 (link),17 (link) but its reliability and validity have not been systematically evaluated. The PMDD scale, in contrast, has been found to have high reliability and validity. Therefore, we selected the PMDD scale to study the concurrent validity of the PSQ.
The PSQ asks, Within the last 3 months, have you experienced the following premenstrual symptoms starting during the week before menses and stopping a few days after the onset of menses?
The premenstrual symptoms listed are (i) depressed mood, (ii) anxiety or tension, (iii) tearfulness, (iv) anger or irritability, (v) decreased interest in work, home, or social activities, (vi) difficulty concentrating, (vii) fatigue or lack of energy, (viii) overeating or food cravings, (ix) insomnia or hypersomnia, (x) feeling overwhelmed, and (xi) physical symptoms such as tender breasts, feeling of bloating, headache, joint or muscle pain, or weight gain.
These 11 symptoms are listed in the DSM criteria for PMDD. The PMDD scale consists of 12 symptoms, with “Insomnia or hypersomnia” divided into “Insomnia” and “Hypersomnia” as separate symptoms.
The PSQ also asks whether the premenstrual symptoms experienced interfere with (a) work efficiency or productivity, or home responsibilities; (b) social activities; or (c) relationships with coworkers or family. These three items measuring functional impairment of social and life activities were same as items in the Daily Record of Severity of Problems,21 (link),22 the diary chart for PMDs with the strongest evidence of validity and reliability.23 (link) The PMDD scale also included five items on functional impairment that were same as items in the PSST. In the present study, in both the PSQ and the PMDD scale, students were asked to rate the severity of premenstrual symptoms and these symptoms’ interference with activities as 1 – Not at all, 2 – Mild, 3 – Moderate, or 4 – Severe. The total scores on the PSQ and the PMDD scale were calculated as the sum of 14 items and 17 items, respectively. PSQ total score ranges from 14 to 56, and PMDD scale total score ranges from 17 to 68.
We divided the students into three groups on the basis of their premenstrual symptoms: PMDD, moderate-to-severe PMS, and no/mild PMS, according to the criteria reported by Steiner et al in 2003.20 (link) We further divided the students into two groups: the PMDs group, who had moderate-to-severe PMS or PMDD, and the no PMDs group, who had no PMS or mild PMS, according to the PSQ criteria.
The PSQ asks, Within the last 3 months, have you experienced the following premenstrual symptoms starting during the week before menses and stopping a few days after the onset of menses?
The premenstrual symptoms listed are (i) depressed mood, (ii) anxiety or tension, (iii) tearfulness, (iv) anger or irritability, (v) decreased interest in work, home, or social activities, (vi) difficulty concentrating, (vii) fatigue or lack of energy, (viii) overeating or food cravings, (ix) insomnia or hypersomnia, (x) feeling overwhelmed, and (xi) physical symptoms such as tender breasts, feeling of bloating, headache, joint or muscle pain, or weight gain.
These 11 symptoms are listed in the DSM criteria for PMDD. The PMDD scale consists of 12 symptoms, with “Insomnia or hypersomnia” divided into “Insomnia” and “Hypersomnia” as separate symptoms.
The PSQ also asks whether the premenstrual symptoms experienced interfere with (a) work efficiency or productivity, or home responsibilities; (b) social activities; or (c) relationships with coworkers or family. These three items measuring functional impairment of social and life activities were same as items in the Daily Record of Severity of Problems,21 (link),22 the diary chart for PMDs with the strongest evidence of validity and reliability.23 (link) The PMDD scale also included five items on functional impairment that were same as items in the PSST. In the present study, in both the PSQ and the PMDD scale, students were asked to rate the severity of premenstrual symptoms and these symptoms’ interference with activities as 1 – Not at all, 2 – Mild, 3 – Moderate, or 4 – Severe. The total scores on the PSQ and the PMDD scale were calculated as the sum of 14 items and 17 items, respectively. PSQ total score ranges from 14 to 56, and PMDD scale total score ranges from 17 to 68.
We divided the students into three groups on the basis of their premenstrual symptoms: PMDD, moderate-to-severe PMS, and no/mild PMS, according to the criteria reported by Steiner et al in 2003.20 (link) We further divided the students into two groups: the PMDs group, who had moderate-to-severe PMS or PMDD, and the no PMDs group, who had no PMS or mild PMS, according to the PSQ criteria.
