Abstract
The comparability of ratings of premenstrual symptoms obtained by different methods of data collection was studied. Ongoing ratings were compared with retrospective reports. A consecutive series (n = 17) of women attending a premenstrual syndrome (PMS) evaluation and treatment center completed daily diary cards over the course of one menstrual cycle as well as a retrospective evaluation of their premenstrual symptomatology. Comparisons were made between postmenstrual and premenstrual ratings on the diary cards to confirm the presence of premenstrual symptomatology Retrospective ratings of premenstrual symptomatology showed higher mean scores reflecting greater symptomatology than was recorded in daily diary cards. Analysis of predictors of retrospective reports, using multiple regression analysis, with postmenstrual and premenstrual ratings as predictors, indicated significant associations between the retrospective and prospective ratings of premenstrual symptoms. There were no significant assocations between the retrospective ratings of premenstrual symptoms and prospective ratings of postmenstrual symptoms, suggesting the specificity of retrospective report in reflecting symptoms experienced prior to menstruation. The significance of these findings for clinical practice is discussed.
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