Prevalence of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder and Occupational Function in a Nurse Group.
- Author:
Young Hwan PARK
1
;
Bum Seok JEONG
;
Chang Yoon KIM
;
Chul LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Premensrual dysphoric disorder;
Premenstrual syndrome;
Prevalence;
Occupational function
- MeSH:
Female;
Humans;
Life Change Events;
Nonprescription Drugs;
Premenstrual Syndrome;
Prescriptions;
Prevalence*;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Retrospective Studies
- From:Journal of Korean Neuropsychiatric Association
2001;40(5):832-841
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: Despite the high prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and premenstrual syndrome, little attention has been paid to these problems until now. Two of the possible reasons for this inattention seem to be the lack of awareness of women as a whole about these disorders and the tolerability of the functional impairments caused by them. The objectives of this study were to find out the prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder and premenstrual syndrome in a nurse group and to evaluate the occupational function of nurses with these problems. METHODS: The cross sectional retrospective data was obtained from 1301 nurses who were employed in a hospital. Premenstrual symptoms were measured with DRSP(the Daily Record Severity of Problems). A new scale developed by authors was used to evaluate the occupational function. To measure burnout intensity, self-esteem and strength of stressful events, MBI(Maslach Burnout Inventory), Self-Esteem Scale and Social Readjustment Rating Questionnaire were used. Nurses' attempts made for managing premenstrual symptoms were also surveyed. RESULTS: Among 1,078 responders 626(58%)cases were analyzed. Prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder was 4.6%(N=29). Prevalence of premenstrual syndrome was 78.3%(N=490). Comparing occupational function between the groups, the premenstrual dysphoric disorder group had more impairments than the premenstrual syndrome group and no symptom group(p<0.001). Emotional burnout was prominent in premenstrual dysphoric disorder and premenstrual syndrome group(p<0.001). But, there was no significant difference in loss of ambition(p=0.124). To manage their premenstrual symptoms, nurses preferred to nonpharmacologic treatments or nonprescription drugs. None of the nurses with premenstrual dysphoric disorder reported doctor's prescriptions. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder in a nurse group is comparable to that in general population. The premenstrual dysphoric disorder group has more impairments in occupational function than the premenstrual syndrome group and no symptom group. Nurses have inadequate managements about their premenstrual symptoms as general population do.
