Premenstrual dysphoric symptoms and lifetime suicide experiences in patients with mood disorder

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2021 Jul-Aug:71:82-87. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2021.04.009. Epub 2021 May 1.

Abstract

Background: Premenstrual dysphoric symptoms (PMDS) commonly co-occurred with mood disorders and correlated with suicide experiences in women. This study aims to examine the associations between PMDS and lifetime suicide experiences in patients with mood disorders.

Methods: Participants were recruited from outpatient settings of two medical centers and one psychiatric hospital in Taiwan. Women aged 18-65 in non-acute state of major depressive disorder or bipolar affective disorder were recruited. PMDS and lifetime suicide experiences were defined by the Schedule for Affective Disorder and Schizophrenia-Lifetime. Lifetime suicide experiences were defined as no suicide experience, suicide plans only and suicide attempts.

Results: A total of 383 women participated in this study (54.8% of them were diagnosed with major depressive disorder), and 13.8% were diagnosed with PMDS. The prevalence of patients with lifetime suicide plans only and lifetime suicide attempts were 15.9% and 39.7%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, PMDS was correlated with lifetime suicide experience. After controlling for covariates, PMDS was a risk indicator for lifetime suicide attempts (OR: 3.46, 95% CI: 1.43-8.38) but not for suicide plans only (OR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.28-3.11).

Conclusions: PMDS correlated with lifetime suicide experiences in women with non-acute mood disorders. In particular, PMDS exhibited as an independent correlate for lifetime suicide attempts.

Keywords: Lifetime suicide attempts; Lifetime suicide plans; Mood disorders; Premenstrual dysphoric symptoms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bipolar Disorder* / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mood Disorders / epidemiology
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder*
  • Schizophrenia*
  • Suicide, Attempted