Tracking premenstrual exacerbation (PME) of depression in a prospective clinical cohort: the TIDE study protocol

IntroductionThere is a growing body of research showing that the menstrual cycle can affect mood, although research in those with an existing depressive disorder is still scarce. Studies estimate that 60% of women with depression experience premenstrual exacerbation (PME) of their depressive symptoms. AimsWith the TIDE study, we aim to 1) examine the feasibility of daily symptom tracking for two consecutive menstrual cycles to track PME, 2) estimate the prevalence of PME in depression in a clinical cohort and 3) examine whether PME is associated with other hormone-related mood symptoms (i.e., hormonal contraceptive side effects, peripartum depression). MethodsWe aim to recruit 60 female participants aged 18 to 45, who are in treatment for a depressive episode and who have a regular natural menstrual cycle. Participants will participate in questionnaires at baseline, inquiring about demographic characteristics and previous experiences with hormonal contraceptives and pregnancy. Participants will complete retrospective menstruation questionnaires on days 1 and 10 of each menstrual cycle, as well as daily diaries for two consecutive menstrual cycles, inquiring about menstruation and mood symptoms. After completion of the diaries, participants will receive a symptom report, as well as a study evaluation questionnaire. Results and conclusionWe expect that providing the menstrual cycle overview of symptom severity will lead to increased symptom course insights in participants with PME, and that participants with PME will find it clinically relevant and significant to gain insight into symptom trajectories across the menstrual cycle. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=76 SRC="FIGDIR/small/26352210v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (27K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d6545eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@3ceb57org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@17ea0faorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@7aa9f6_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG