Skip to main content
Erschienen in: The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery 1/2024

Open Access 01.12.2024 | Research

Relation between metabolic syndrome and psychiatric symptoms severity in women with premenstrual syndrome

verfasst von: Mohamed Basiouny Yahia, Medhat Ali Salah, Seham Sabry, Mahmoud Osama Ahmed Abd El Fattah, Nashwa El-Khouly, Samir Khamis Galal, Mohamed Elsayed Hammour, Wael Abd Elatief Khafagy, Mohamed Alkhouly, Mustafa A. A. Osman, Eman Gomaa Rezk, Hend Mohamed Hussein, Sarah Hossam Eldin Mostafa, Abdelaziz Mahmoud Abdelaziz, Sara Sallam

Erschienen in: The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery | Ausgabe 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a clinical condition characterized by recurrent moderate-to-severe affective, physical, and behavioral symptoms during the menstrual cycle. The present study aimed to assess the relation between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and symptoms severity in patients with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). This multicentric propensity score matched analysis included 300 women with PMS. They comprised 150 women with MetS and 150 women without MetS. Diagnosis of PMS was based on the validated Arabic version of Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). For the diagnosis of MetS, we adopted the Harmonized Joint Scientific Statement (HJSS) on metabolic syndrome recommendations.

Results

The present study included 300 patients with PMS. They comprised 150 patients with MetS and 150 patients without MetS. Comparison between the studied groups regarding the demographic and clinical data showed that patients with MetS had significantly higher BMI (30.5 ± 3.0 versus 25.2 ± 3.5 kg/m2, p < 0.001) and longer symptoms duration (4.4 ± 0.9 versus 3.3 ± 1.1 days, p < 0.001). Patients with MetS included higher frequency of moderate-to-severe PMS (35.3% versus 20.7%, p = 0.005). In patients with MetS, it was found that patients with moderate-to-severe PMS have significantly higher BMI, younger age at menarche and longer symptoms duration. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age at menarche [OR (95% CI): 0.7 (0.55–0.9), p = 0.005], PMS symptoms duration [OR (95% CI): 4.45 (3.0–6.6), p < 0.001] and MetS [OR (95% CI): 1.67 (1.34–2.53), p = 0.017] as significant predictors of moderate-to-severe PMS.

Conclusions

MetS is related to symptoms severity in PMS patients.
Hinweise

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Abkürzungen
BMI
Body mass index
DBP
Diastolic blood pressure
FBG
Fasting blood glucose
HDL
High-density lipoprotein
HJSS
Harmonized Joint Scientific Statement
MetS
Metabolic syndrome
PMS
Premenstrual syndrome
PSST
Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool
STROBE
Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology

Introduction

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a clinical condition characterized by a cluster of recurrent affective, physical, and behavioral symptoms of variable severity occurring during the luteal phase of menstrual cycle and usually fading within few days of menstruation [1, 2]. While most women experience premenstrual symptoms in the reproductive age, the condition presents with severe and debilitating symptoms in only 5.0% of women [3]. The premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) constitutes the most severe form of psychiatric premenstrual symptoms [4]. Interestingly, PMS was linked to postpartum depression (PPD) in affected women [5]. One third of women were found to have PPD as shown by one study [6] with endocrinal imbalance reported as a contributing factor [7].
The reported risk factors for PMS include young age, alcohol consumption, family history of PMS, genetic predisposition [8], vitamin D deficiency [9], dietary and lifestyles behaviors [10] and air pollution [11]. Suggested pathogenic mechanisms are dysfunctional reward responsiveness [12], altered leptin metabolism [13], altered cortisol awakening response [14] and augmented oxidative stress [15].
Severe somatic forms of PMS may respond to nutritional supplements, herbal remedies, lifestyle modifications, exercise or hormonal treatment. However, efficacy of these interventions remains debatable. So, identification of factors related to severe forms of PMS may be crucial for appropriate management of the condition [16, 17].
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of clinical and biochemical risk factors including obesity, elevated blood pressure, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. The estimated prevalence of MetS among premenopausal women ranges from 5.4% and 55.5% [18]. The condition is related to a wide range of morbidities affecting almost all body systems [19].
While the medial literature is replete with studies discussing the relation between MetS and many clinical conditions, no study assessed the clinical significance of MetS in PMS patients. So, the present study sought to assess the prevalence of MetS in a group of Egyptian women with PMS and to discover the relation between various parameters of MetS and clinical severity of PMS.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted at outpatient clinics of gynecology and obstetrics departments. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board, and all patients gave informed consent before enrollment. The study findings were reported according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) initiative recommendations [20].
The study included 300 women with PMS. All patients were submitted to thorough clinical and gynecological examination. Diagnosis of PMS was based on the validated Arabic version of Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST). PSST includes 19 items assessing patients’ psychiatric symptoms including anger, anxiety, depression and others in line with DSM-IV. The tool showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.92) and good construct validity [21]. Every item is rated as “not at all,” “mild,” “moderate,” or “severe.” Patients were classified to have moderate-to-severe PMS if at least one of the first 4 items was severe AND at least 4 of the first 14 items were moderate to severe AND at least one of the last five items was severe according to the instructions of Steiner and colleagues [22].
Exclusion criteria were receiving treatment for PMS or PMDD, associated psychosomatic disorders, associated gynecological conditions or other psychiatric conditions.
Patients included 150 patients with MetS and 150 patients without MetS. The studied groups were matched using a propensity score matching analysis calculated by logistic regression. Factors included in the score were age, age at menarche and cycle duration.
For the diagnosis of MetS, we adopted the Harmonized Joint Scientific Statement (HJSS) on metabolic syndrome recommendations. MetS criteria included elevated waist circumference (≥ 80 cm), elevated triglycerides levels (≥ 150 mg/dL), reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (< 50 mg/dL), elevated blood pressure (systolic ≥ 130 and/or diastolic ≥ 85 mm Hg) and elevated fasting glucose (≥ 100 mg/dL). MetS was diagnosed in the presence of any three criteria [23]. Data obtained from the present study was statistically analyzed using statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) 20 (IBM, USA). Numerical data were expressed as mean ± SD while categorical data were presented as number and percent. Numerical data were compared using t test and categorical data were compared using Chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors of PMS severity. p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The present study included 300 patients with PMS. They comprised 150 patients with MetS and 150 patients without MetS. Comparison between the studied groups regarding the demographic and clinical data showed that patients with MetS had significantly higher BMI (30.5 ± 3.0 versus 25.2 ± 3.5 kg/m2, p < 0.001) and longer symptoms duration (4.4 ± 0.9 versus 3.3 ± 1.1 days, p < 0.001). Patients with MetS included higher frequency of moderate-to-severe PMS (35.3% versus 20.7%, p = 0.005) (Table 1, Fig. 1).
Table 1
The reported demographic and clinical data in the studied patients (n = 300)
 
MetS + ve
n = 150
MetS − ve
n = 150
p value
Age (years) mean ± SD
21.0 ± 1.8
20.9 ± 1.9
0.48
BMI (kg/m2) mean ± SD
30.5 ± 3.0
25.2 ± 3.5
< 0.001
Marital status n (%)
 Married
12 (8.0)
17 (11.3)
0.33
 Unmarried
138 (92.0)
133 (88.7)
Residence n (%)
 Urban
116 (77.3)
125 (83.3)
0.19
 Rural
34 (22.7)
25 (16.7)
Education n (%)
 Elementary
40 (26.7)
48 (32.0)
0.53
 Secondary
82 (54.7)
73 (48.7)
 University
28 (18.7)
29 (19.3)
Age at menarche (years) mean ± SD
11.9 ± 1.3
11.7 ± 1.4
0.36
Cycle length (days) mean ± SD
31.2 ± 2.4
31.4 ± 2.3
0.9
Symptoms duration (days) mean ± SD
4.4 ± 0.9
3.3 ± 1.1
< 0.001
PMS severity n (%)
Mild
97 (64.7)
119 (79.3)
0.005
Moderate-to-severe
53 (35.3)
31 (20.7)
BMI body mass index, MetS metabolic syndrome, PMS premenstrual syndrome
In patients with MetS, it was found that patients with moderate-to-severe PMS have significantly higher BMI, younger age at menarche and longer symptoms duration. In patients without MetS, it was found that patients with moderate-to-severe PMS have significantly younger age at menarche and longer symptoms duration (Table 2).
Table 2
Relation between PMS severity and clinical data in the studied groups (n = 300)
 
MetS + ve (n = 150)
p value
MetS -ve (n = 150)
p value
Mild PMS
n = 97
Moderate-to-severe PMS
n = 53
Mild PMS
n = 119
Moderate-to-severe PMS
n = 31
Age (years) mean ± SD
20.9 ± 1.8
21.2 ± 1.8
0.37
21.0 ± 1.9
20.5 ± 1.9
0.24
BMI (Kg/m2) mean ± SD
29.9 ± 2.9
31.6 ± 2.8
< 0.001
25.4 ± 3.8
24.5 ± 1.6
0.07
Marital status n (%)
 Married
8 (8.2)
4 (7.6)
0.88
13 (10.9)
4 (12.9)
0.76
 Unmarried
89 (91.8)
49 (92.4)
106 (89.1)
27 (87.1)
Residence n (%)
 Urban
78 (80.4)
38 (71.7)
0.22
100 (84.0)
25 (80.7)
0.65
 Rural
19 (19.6)
15 (28.3)
19 (16.0)
6 (19.3)
Education n (%)
 Elementary
26 (26.8)
14 (26.4)
0.89
39 (32.8)
9 (29.0)
0.31
 Secondary
54 (55.7)
28 (52.8)
60 (50.4)
13 (42.0)
 University
17 (17.5)
11 (20.8)
20 (16.8)
9 (29.0)
Age at menarche (years) mean ± SD
12.1 ± 1.4
11.5 ± 1.2
0.007
11.8 ± 1.4
11.3 ± 1.1
0.035
Cycle length (days) mean ± SD
31.6 ± 2.2
31.0 ± 2.4
0.14
31.5 ± 2.4
32.2 ± 1.8
0.42
Symptoms duration (days) mean ± SD
4.1 ± 0.8
5.0 ± 0.9
< 0.001
3.0 ± 0.8
4.5 ± 1.3
< 0.001
BMI body mass index, MetS metabolic syndrome, PMS premenstrual syndrome
In patients with MetS, it was found that patients with moderate-to-severe PMS have longer waist circumference, higher triglycerides levels, higher diastolic blood pressure and higher number of MetS criteria (Table 3).
Table 3
Relation between PMS severity and MetS components in MetS patients
 
Mild PMS
n = 97
Moderate-to-severe PMS
n = 53
p value
Waist circumference (cm) mean ± SD
91.2 ± 7.6
94.5 ± 7.5
0.011
Triglycerides (mg/dL) mean ± SD
142.0 ± 31.9
153.6 ± 26.6
0.019
HDL (mg/dL) mean ± SD
40.5 ± 2.4
40.1 ± 2.5
0.31
DBP (mmHg) mean ± SD
82.6 ± 5.3
84.7 ± 3.5
0.004
SBP (mmHg) mean ± SD
128.7 ± 7.9
130.8 ± 6.7
0.11
FBG (mg/dL) mean ± SD
100.5 ± 11.9
97.5 ± 13.2
0.17
MetS criteria count mean ± SD
3.8 ± 0.7
3.0 ± 0.0
< 0.001
BMI body mass index, DBP diastolic blood pressure, FBG fasting blood glucose, HDL high-density lipoprotein, MetS metabolic syndrome, PMS premenstrual syndrome, SBP systolic blood pressure
Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age at menarche [OR (95% CI): 0.7 (0.55–0.9), p = 0.005], PMS symptoms duration [OR (95% CI): 4.45 (3.0–6.6), p < 0.001] and MetS [OR (95% CI): 1.67 (1.34–2.53), p = 0.017] as significant predictors of moderate-to-severe PMS (Table 4).
Table 4
Predictors of moderate-to-severe PMS in the studied patients
 
Univariate analysis
Multivariate analysis
OR (95% CI)
p
OR (95% CI)
p
Age
1.0 (0.87–1.15)
0.99
BMI
1.098 (1.032–1.17)
0.003
1.078 (0.98–1.19)
0.12
Age at menarche
0.75 (0.61–0.9)
0.003
0.7 (0.55–0.9)
0.005
PMS symptoms duration
3.96 (2.8–5.6)
< 0.001
4.45 (3.0–6.6)
< 0.001
MetS
2.097 (1.25–3.52)
0.005
1.67 (1.34–2.53)
0.017
BMI body mass index, MetS metabolic syndrome, PMS premenstrual syndrome, SBP systolic blood pressure

Discussion

PMS particularly its severe form is a challenging clinical condition. Available treatment options frequently fail to achieve satisfactory clinical response. Integrated approach for management of the condition requires identification of possible risk factors. Considering the high prevalence of MetS and its relation to many morbidities, the present study aimed to assess the clinical significance of MetS in PMS patients and its relation to its severity.
Many previous studies identified some MetS components as risk factors for PMS. In the study of Masho and colleagues [24], the authors concluded that obesity is strongly associated with PMS. Likewise, the study of Bertone-Johnson and colleagues [25] noted a significant linear relation between increased BMI and incident PMS. In contrast, the study of Sharifan and colleagues [26] found no relation between BMI and severity of PMS. In another study, increased cholesterol level was reported as a risk factor for PMS [27].
Interestingly, the current study noted patients with MetS experienced significantly severe form of PMS. Previous studies identified as association between MetS and some elements of severe PMS. For example, the association between MetS and sleep troubles was reported in younger [28] and older [29] women and in the general population [30]. Moreover, it was found that MetS patients significantly higher frequency of severe joint aches. While none of the studied patients had clinical diagnosis of joint pathologies, the association between MetS and inflammatory joint diseases is well-documented [31].
Our study recognized patients age at menarche, symptoms duration and MetS as significant independent predictors of PMS severity. The relation between older age and severity of PMS was previously reported [32]. The association between MetS and severity of PMS may be explained by the inflammatory background of both conditions. PMS is characterized by elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines [33]. The low-grade inflammation in MetS can produce augmented release of many proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 [34]. Of note, the recent study of Ter Horst and colleagues [35] suggested that women with MetS may also have lower expression of the anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin.

Conclusions

MetS is associated more severe form of PMS. It’s recommended to conduct interventional study to assess if control of MetS components can affect PMS symptoms. Conclusions of the present study may be limited by its cross-sectional design. Probably, longitudinal studies assessing the relation between changes in MetS components and PMS symptoms may provide better approach to judge the relation between MetS and severity of PMS symptoms.

Acknowledgements

We heartfully thank all patients and their family members.

Declarations

The study protocol was approved by the ethical committee of Al-Azhar University Faculty of Medicine on June, 1, 2022. Informed written consent was obtained from all the patients enrolled in this study.
Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Written informed consent was obtained from all patients or their legal guardians before enrollment in the study.
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://​creativecommons.​org/​licenses/​by/​4.​0/​.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Literatur
2.
Zurück zum Zitat Imai A, Ichigo S, Matsunami K, Takagi H. Premenstrual syndrome: management and pathophysiology. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2015;42(2):123–8.CrossRefPubMed Imai A, Ichigo S, Matsunami K, Takagi H. Premenstrual syndrome: management and pathophysiology. Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol. 2015;42(2):123–8.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Zurück zum Zitat Kwan I, Onwude JL. Premenstrual syndrome. BMJ Clin Evid 2015;2015 Kwan I, Onwude JL. Premenstrual syndrome. BMJ Clin Evid 2015;2015
7.
Zurück zum Zitat Khedr EM, Ramadan ES, Osman MN, Ahmed GK. Risk factors-related first episode postpartum psychosis among Egyptian women: the role of psychosocial and the biological factors. Egypt J Neurol Psychiatry Neurosurgery. 2023;59(1):51.CrossRef Khedr EM, Ramadan ES, Osman MN, Ahmed GK. Risk factors-related first episode postpartum psychosis among Egyptian women: the role of psychosocial and the biological factors. Egypt J Neurol Psychiatry Neurosurgery. 2023;59(1):51.CrossRef
8.
Zurück zum Zitat Pakharenko L, Vorobii V, Kurtash N, Basiuha I. Association of ace gene polymorphism with the development of premenstrual syndrome. Georgian Med News. 2019;294:37–41. Pakharenko L, Vorobii V, Kurtash N, Basiuha I. Association of ace gene polymorphism with the development of premenstrual syndrome. Georgian Med News. 2019;294:37–41.
23.
Zurück zum Zitat Alberti KG, Eckel RH, Grundy SM, Zimmet PZ, Cleeman JI, Donato KA, et al. Harmonizing the metabolic syndrome: a joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American Heart Association; World Heart Federation; International Atherosclerosis Society; and International Association for the Study of Obesity. Circulation. 2009;120(16):1640–5. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.109.192644.CrossRefPubMed Alberti KG, Eckel RH, Grundy SM, Zimmet PZ, Cleeman JI, Donato KA, et al. Harmonizing the metabolic syndrome: a joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American Heart Association; World Heart Federation; International Atherosclerosis Society; and International Association for the Study of Obesity. Circulation. 2009;120(16):1640–5. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1161/​CIRCULATIONAHA.​109.​192644.CrossRefPubMed
Metadaten
Titel
Relation between metabolic syndrome and psychiatric symptoms severity in women with premenstrual syndrome
verfasst von
Mohamed Basiouny Yahia
Medhat Ali Salah
Seham Sabry
Mahmoud Osama Ahmed Abd El Fattah
Nashwa El-Khouly
Samir Khamis Galal
Mohamed Elsayed Hammour
Wael Abd Elatief Khafagy
Mohamed Alkhouly
Mustafa A. A. Osman
Eman Gomaa Rezk
Hend Mohamed Hussein
Sarah Hossam Eldin Mostafa
Abdelaziz Mahmoud Abdelaziz
Sara Sallam
Publikationsdatum
01.12.2024
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s41983-024-00798-9

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 1/2024

The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery 1/2024 Zur Ausgabe

Leitlinien kompakt für die Neurologie

Mit medbee Pocketcards sicher entscheiden.

Seit 2022 gehört die medbee GmbH zum Springer Medizin Verlag

Nicht Creutzfeldt Jakob, sondern Abführtee-Vergiftung

29.05.2024 Hyponatriämie Nachrichten

Eine ältere Frau trinkt regelmäßig Sennesblättertee gegen ihre Verstopfung. Der scheint plötzlich gut zu wirken. Auf Durchfall und Erbrechen folgt allerdings eine Hyponatriämie. Nach deren Korrektur kommt es plötzlich zu progredienten Kognitions- und Verhaltensstörungen.

Schutz der Synapsen bei Alzheimer

29.05.2024 Morbus Alzheimer Nachrichten

Mit einem Neurotrophin-Rezeptor-Modulator lässt sich möglicherweise eine bestehende Alzheimerdemenz etwas abschwächen: Erste Phase-2-Daten deuten auf einen verbesserten Synapsenschutz.

Sozialer Aufstieg verringert Demenzgefahr

24.05.2024 Demenz Nachrichten

Ein hohes soziales Niveau ist mit die beste Versicherung gegen eine Demenz. Noch geringer ist das Demenzrisiko für Menschen, die sozial aufsteigen: Sie gewinnen fast zwei demenzfreie Lebensjahre. Umgekehrt steigt die Demenzgefahr beim sozialen Abstieg.

Hirnblutung unter DOAK und VKA ähnlich bedrohlich

17.05.2024 Direkte orale Antikoagulanzien Nachrichten

Kommt es zu einer nichttraumatischen Hirnblutung, spielt es keine große Rolle, ob die Betroffenen zuvor direkt wirksame orale Antikoagulanzien oder Marcumar bekommen haben: Die Prognose ist ähnlich schlecht.

Update Neurologie

Bestellen Sie unseren Fach-Newsletter und bleiben Sie gut informiert.