Background
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual physical and psychological discomfort. The disorder is common and has a negative impact on mental health and quality of life of women suffering from PMDD.
Aim
This study was carried out to evaluate the quality of life of women with PMDD.
Participants and methods
In a comparative case–control study, 34 patients with PMDD and 34 healthy controls (matched for age, educational level, and social class) were included. All were within the reproductive period.
Tools
Both groups were subjected to the following psychometric tools: a semistructured interview, a structured clinical interview for the -fourth edition, the World Health Organization Quality Of Life instrument, the symptom checklist instrument, the psychological adjustment scale, and the Sheehan disability scale.
Results
Patients and control groups were matched for age (=0.46), marital status (=0.35), educational level (=0.87), and socioeconomic status (=0.84). The mean scores of psychological and social relationships domains on the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL)-BREF were lower for patients compared with the healthy control participants. Differences were statistically significant for emotional, family, and social adjustment (<0.001). There were statistically significant differences for somatization, obsessive-compulsive, depressive, and anxiety symptoms (<0.001). The burden of PMDD was higher for the patient group compared with the healthy control participants (<0.001). The family responsibilities domain was the most affected on the Sheehan disability scale.
Conclusion
Patients with PMDD have lower quality of life than healthy participants. They have maladjusted emotions, family relations, and social functioning. They experience higher somatization, obsessive-compulsive, depressive, and anxiety symptoms than normal participants. The burden of illness is high. Appropriate recognition of the disorder and its impact should lead to the treatment of women with PMDD. Effective treatments are available. They should reduce individual suffering and impact on families, society, and economy.