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Premenstrual syndrome: documentation by a linear analog scale compared with two descriptive scales
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
|October 1, 1986
Summary
A simple six-item scale effectively documents premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. This linear analog scale shows high correlation with other measures, suggesting its utility for clinical assessment and patient compliance in PMS research.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) significantly impacts women's quality of life.
- Accurate and efficient symptom documentation is crucial for PMS diagnosis and management.
- Existing assessment tools can be lengthy, potentially affecting patient adherence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a brief, six-item linear analog scoring system for documenting premenstrual syndrome.
- To assess the correlation between the linear analog scale and established PMS assessment tools.
Main Methods:
- One hundred forty women with suspected PMS completed the six-item linear analog scale, a 36-item Self-Rating Scale, and a 35-item Prospective Record.
- Ninety patients and 20 controls completed two cycles of symptom records.
- Clinical criteria and self-rating scale scores served as the gold standard for diagnosis.
Main Results:
- The linear analog scale demonstrated high correlations with both the Self-Rating Scale (r=0.72-0.66) and the Prospective Record (r=0.74-0.60).
- The scale effectively identified 73 patients diagnosed with PMS based on gold standard criteria.
- Significant correlations were observed on day 9 and day 27 of the menstrual cycle (p=0.001).
Conclusions:
- The six-item linear analog scale is a potentially valuable clinical tool for PMS assessment.
- Its simplicity may enhance patient compliance in reporting PMS symptoms.
- The scale's sensitivity to symptom changes suggests utility in evaluating therapeutic interventions for PMS.