The Severity Of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms In Sickle Cell Disease Patients: A Case- Control Study

Objective: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patients experience recurrent pain attacks and up to 30% of these become chronic pain. There is known to be a relationship between chronic pain and depression and other psychological problems. Therefore, Sickle Cell Disease patients often experience a series of social and psychiatric problems. The aim of this study to determine the frequency and severity of premenstrual syndrome in women aged >= 18 years with sickle cell disease and to compare these values with healthy women.Methods: This case control study was conducted from January 2018 to March 2018. The data were collected using a questionnaire of 21 items and the Premenstrual Syndrome Scale (PMSS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software.Results: The study included 50 patients aged with 18 years who were diagnosed sickle cell anemia at the University Hospital and control group of 50 subjects have no chronic disease. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) according to DSM-5 was determined in 34 (68%) of the case group and 39 (78%) of the control group (p=0,26). Mean depressive effect subscale score was 15.64 +/- 6.56 in the sickle cell anemia group while, it was 19.48 +/- 6.67 in control group (p=0,05).Conclusions: Although PMS frequency and symptom severity in women with SCD were similar with normal population, the depressive effect subscale scores were lower in SCD group. This results' cause could be attributed to PMS symptoms being perceived as less severe compared to the pain experienced in sickle cell crises.