Journal of Affective Disorders Reports (Apr 2023)
The association between premenstrual dysphoric disorder and depression: A systematic review
Abstract
Background: Due to the high comorbidity of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) with other psychiatric conditions, it is important to understand the relationship between PMDD and major depression. In this study we aim to review studies that investigated the prevalence of PMDD and in those with major depression and vice versa. Methods: A systematic review was completed December 2021 using PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL and EMBASE. The inclusion criteria used included: (1) original research studies, (2) a diagnosis of current or past history of depression, (3) a diagnosis of late luteal phase disorder (LLPD) as per DSM-III-R or PMDD as defined in DSM-IV or DSM-5, and (4) published in English. The authors screened the titles and abstracts of papers that were original research with participants who had a history of depression and a diagnosis of PMDD or late luteal phase disorder. The reference lists of review papers were searched for other relevant literature. Results: After 90 articles were screened for relevance and inclusion criteria, 10 articles were included in the study. They were published from 2001 to 2018 and varied across demographic areas. All but one study found a positive association between PMDD and history or current depression. Many studies found that a history of depression (no current depression) was associated with PMDD. Limitations: The way the studies diagnosed PMDD and depression was heterogeneous. More than half the studies did not use daily prospective ratings, which is a necessary step for a final confirmed diagnosis of PMDD. Therefore, it is possible that at least some of these participants did not have PMDD. Conclusion: PMDD is a prevalent disorder that affects women across the world. People with PMDD should be monitored for future development of depression and vice versa. Treatment of depression should consider this association. More studies are needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for the association.
