Abstract
Purpose
Suicide is a major public health concern and a leading cause of death in the United States. Psychopathology is an established
risk factor for non-fatal suicidal behavior; however, it is unclear whether Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a psychiatric
disorder specific to women, is correlated with these outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine if PMDD status
was associated with suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts, independent of socio-demographic factors and psychiatric comorbidity.
risk factor for non-fatal suicidal behavior; however, it is unclear whether Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), a psychiatric
disorder specific to women, is correlated with these outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine if PMDD status
was associated with suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts, independent of socio-demographic factors and psychiatric comorbidity.
Results
The prevalence of non-fatal suicidal behaviors increased in a graded fashion according to PMDD status. Although the control
for demographic characteristics and psychiatric comorbidity greatly attenuated the unadjusted association between PMDD and
suicidal behaviors, women with PMDD remained significantly more likely than women with no premenstrual symptoms to report
suicidal ideation (OR 2.22; 95 % CI 1.40–3.53), plans (OR 2.27; 95 % CI 1.20–4.28), and attempts (OR 2.10; 95 % CI 1.08–4.08).
Only the likelihood of suicidal ideation was significantly elevated among women with moderate/severe premenstrual syndrome
(PMS; OR 1.49; 95 % CI 1.17–1.88), compared to women with no premenstrual symptoms.
for demographic characteristics and psychiatric comorbidity greatly attenuated the unadjusted association between PMDD and
suicidal behaviors, women with PMDD remained significantly more likely than women with no premenstrual symptoms to report
suicidal ideation (OR 2.22; 95 % CI 1.40–3.53), plans (OR 2.27; 95 % CI 1.20–4.28), and attempts (OR 2.10; 95 % CI 1.08–4.08).
Only the likelihood of suicidal ideation was significantly elevated among women with moderate/severe premenstrual syndrome
(PMS; OR 1.49; 95 % CI 1.17–1.88), compared to women with no premenstrual symptoms.
Conclusions
PMDD was strongly and independently associated with non-fatal suicidal behaviors among a nationally representative sample.
These findings suggest that clinicians treating women with PMDD should assess and be vigilant for signs of non-fatal suicidal
behavior, and that clinicians should evaluate and treat the premenstrual symptoms of women who express these behaviors.
These findings suggest that clinicians treating women with PMDD should assess and be vigilant for signs of non-fatal suicidal
behavior, and that clinicians should evaluate and treat the premenstrual symptoms of women who express these behaviors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0548-z
- Authors
- Corey E. Pilver, Division of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
- Daniel J. Libby, VISN 1 MIRECC, VA CT Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Rani A. Hoff, VISN 1 MIRECC, VA CT Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954