Premenstrual dysphoric disorder--a neglected diagnosis? Preliminary study on a sample of Croatian students.

The aims of this study were to assess prevalence and symptom profile of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in a sample of Croatian students and young university graduates. We obtained data for 87 healthy women, aged 18-30, at their regular gynecologic outpatient visits over the period of 2003 to 2004. The severity of premenstrual symptoms were assessed daily, during two cycles, with the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) and criteria for PMDD according to DSM-IV were applied. Fifteen out of 87 women fulfilled PMDD criteria and reported statistically significantly higher prevalence of co morbid disorders in their medical history compared to non-PMDD group. The most common symptoms in the PMDD group were psychological, while in non-PMDD group were vegetative. Overall, relatively high prevalence of PMDD in studied group indicates the need to continue the study.