Objectives: The present study aims to assess the factor structure of the DSM-IV Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) symptoms and its relationship with depressive symptoms.
Methods: We evaluated retrospectively PMDD symptoms in 513 female college students, through a self-reporting questionnaire based on DSM-IV criteria, in addition to the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Principal component analysis on PMDD symptom data was performed to assess its dimensional structure.
Results: In this non-clinical sample, the analysis indicated a higher importance of the dysphoric dimension, but physical symptoms as well as "being out of control" or "overwhelmed" should also be viewed as major symptoms of PMDD. Behavioural symptoms are of secondary importance. The mean BDI score of PMDD group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than non-PMDD group.
Conclusion: The factor structure of the total sample was similar to the symptom structure suggested by DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Depressive symptoms should be viewed as a confounding variable in PMDD.