The longitudinal predictive effect of self-reported frequency of premenstrual syndrome on depression: Findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health

Background Previous studies have revealed a high comorbidity between premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and depression; however, whether PMS can longitudinally predict depression has not been examined in large sample studies. Methods This study surveyed 8,133 women from the 1973–78 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Participants completed seven repeated measurements at 3-year intervals starting in 2000 (aged 22–27 years). Binary logistic and multivariate ordered logistic regression models were used to examine the predictive role of self-reported frequency of PMS symptoms in 2000 on self-reported diagnosis of depression and frequency of depressive symptoms, respectively, for each follow-up survey. Results Self-reported frequency of PMS symptoms in the year 2000 predicted self-reported diagnosis of depression in most follow-up surveys. Specifically, compared to women who reported “never” had PMS symptoms in 2000, those who reported “often” had them were more likely to report a diagnosis of depression in 2006 (OR = 1.72), 2012 (OR = 1.88), 2015 (OR = 1.49), and 2018 (OR = 1.90); and those who reported “sometimes” had PMS symptoms in 2000 were more likely to report a diagnosis of depression in 2012 (OR =1.37) and 2018 (OR = 1.59). Furthermore, self-reported frequency of PMS symptoms in 2000 predicted self-reported frequency of depressive symptoms in each follow-up survey. Compared to women who reported “never” had PMS symptoms in 2000, those who reported “sometimes”, or “often”, had PMS symptoms reported depressive symptoms more frequently. Conclusion Self-reported frequency of PMS can predict the self-reported frequency of depressive symptoms and the subsequent diagnosis of depression.