Dysmenorrhea Symptom-Based Phenotypes: A Replication and Extension Study.
Chen X Chen, Janet S Carpenter, Susan Ofner and 2 others
PMID 32956256WHAT IT FOUND
Women with dysmenorrhea grouped into three symptom patterns: mild cramps, severe cramps, and multiple severe symptoms.
Adding background, health, and psychological information did not change these groups. Black/African American race, more chronic pain, endometriosis, and pain catastrophizing were associated with the multiple severe pattern.
Key findings
01Women with dysmenorrhea grouped into three symptom patterns: mild localized pain, severe localized pain, and multiple severe symptoms.
02Group membership changed little when demographic, clinical, and psychobehavioral information was added; perfect agreement was above 94%.
03The multiple severe symptoms pattern was associated with Black/African American race, more chronic pain conditions, endometriosis, and higher pain catastrophizing.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was cross-sectional, so it cannot show whether the symptom groups caused other conditions or whether other conditions caused the groups. Participants reported symptoms and diagnoses in an online survey, so recall and self-report errors are possible. The sample came from online survey panels and was limited to English readers in the United States, so it may not represent all women with dysmenorrhea. The study did not test any treatment, so it cannot show whether targeting these factors improves symptoms.
Declared interests
The publication types list NIH extramural and non-U.S. government research support. The article text does not state a conflict of interest declaration.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the associations with endometriosis, chronic pain, or pain catastrophizing as evidence that treating those conditions will improve dysmenorrhea. The study was cross-sectional and did not test any treatment.