Citation

Segebladh B, Bannbers E, Kask K, Nyberg S, Bixo M, Heimer GM, Sundström-Poromaa I. Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand. 2011; 90(7): 746-752.

Affiliation

Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, Department of Clinical Science, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden, and National Centre for Knowledge on Men's Violence against Women, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1600-0412.2011.01151.x

PMID

21501124

Abstract

Objective. The aim of the present study was to estimate prevalence rates of physical, emotional and sexual abuse in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in comparison with gynecologic outpatients and asymptomatic healthy controls. Design. Cross-sectional study. Population. Fifty-eight women meeting strict criteria for PMDD, a control group of 102 women seeking care at the gynecologic outpatient clinic (ObGyn controls) and 47 asymptomatic healthy controls were included in this study. Methods. The Swedish version of the Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS) was used to collect information on physical and sexual abuse, and the screening instrument was administered as a face-to-face interview. Main Outcome Measures. Previous and ongoing physical and sexual abuse. Results. Any lifetime abuse (physical, emotional or sexual) was reported by 31.0% of PMDD patients, by 39.2% of ObGyn controls and by 21.3% of healthy controls. ObGyn controls reported physical and/or emotional abuse significantly more often than PMDD patients as well as healthy controls, p < 0.05. Life-time sexual abuse was reported significantly more often by ObGyn controls than healthy controls, p < 0.05. Conclusion. PMDD patients appear not to have suffered physical, emotional or sexual abuse to a larger extent than other gynecologic patients or healthy controls. However, exposure to violence was common in all groups of interviewed women, and for the individual patient these experiences may contribute to their experience of symptoms.

Language: en