Epidemiology of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study Original paper

What was reviewed?

This paper presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of the global prevalence of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). It focuses on synthesizing existing studies to determine the overall rate of PMS occurrence among women, analyzing factors influencing its prevalence, and exploring variations in prevalence rates across different countries and regions. The review compiles data from multiple sources to estimate the global burden of PMS and identify trends over time, employing meta-regression to examine factors that might affect PMS prevalence.

Who was reviewed?

The review examines data from studies involving women of reproductive age, specifically those diagnosed with PMS based on various symptom screening tools, such as the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), and other diagnostic scales. The included studies span different regions and countries, offering a broad view of PMS prevalence across diverse populations.

What were the most important findings?

The systematic review and meta-analysis found that the pooled prevalence of PMS across 17 studies was 47.8%, with substantial variation between different countries. The lowest prevalence was reported in France (12%), while Iran had the highest (98%). This wide range of prevalence is indicative of various factors, such as different diagnostic criteria, sample populations, and cultural or environmental influences on PMS reporting and diagnosis. The review also highlighted a trend of increasing PMS prevalence between 1996 and 2011, though the correlation with the year of study was not statistically significant.

Meta-regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between the sample size and the reported prevalence of PMS, with larger studies tending to report lower prevalence rates. The review also noted that the differences in measurement tools used to diagnose PMS across studies could contribute to the observed variability in prevalence. The results underscore the need for standardized diagnostic criteria and more comprehensive studies to better understand the factors driving PMS prevalence globally.

What are the greatest implications of this review?

The findings of this review have significant implications for public health and clinical practice. The high global prevalence of PMS, with nearly half of reproductive-aged women affected, underscores the need for effective diagnostic and management strategies. Clinicians should be aware of the significant variation in PMS prevalence, influenced by geographical and methodological factors, which can impact patient care and treatment approaches. The review emphasizes the importance of further research to standardize diagnostic tools and explore the role of environmental, cultural, and genetic factors in PMS. Moreover, the findings suggest that larger, high-quality studies are needed to provide more reliable data on PMS prevalence, which can inform public health policies and interventions aimed at improving women’s reproductive health globally.