Background: Serotonergic antidepressant medications have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of severe premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Over 60% of subjects responded well to sertraline treatment for PMS and PMDD in double-blind controlled studies. However, no studies have evaluated the predictors of treatment response for this disorder. The current study examined pretreatment demographic, medical history, and clinical symptom predictors of sertraline response in PMS and PMDD treatment.
Method: Sixty-two subjects diagnosed with severe PMS (according to the Daily Symptom Report and global ratings of functional impairment) or PMDD (DSM-IV) received sertraline treatment as part of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment efficacy study. All subjects completed 3 screening cycles, including a single-blind placebo washout cycle, prior to 3 cycles of double-blind treatment. Outcome was assessed across the domains of PMS symptoms and quality of life. Demographic, medical history, and symptom variables were used to predict sertraline response.
Results: Baseline postmenstrual symptom ratings were significantly and independently associated with posttreatment PMS symptoms in multivariate analysis. Premenstrual and postmenstrual ratings of depression, medical history variables, and demographic variables were not significantly predictive of response to sertraline.
Conclusion: Baseline postmenstrual symptom ratings controlled for baseline premenstrual symptoms were associated with PMS symptoms at sertraline treatment endpoint. The findings suggest that nonmenstrual-related baseline characteristics other than depression may influence sertraline treatment outcome in patients with higher postmenstrual symptom levels.