New thesis on long-term consequences of premenstrual disorders
Welcome to Yihui Yang's presentation of her thesis ”Premenstrual disorders : risk determinants and health consequences across the life course”.
Time: January 20 at 13.00
Location: Petrénsalen, Nobels väg 12 och online
Supervisor: Associate Professor Donghao Lu, Institute of Environmental Medicine, KI
Opponent: Associate Professor Mette Bliddal, University of Southern Denmark, Department of Clinical Research
Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MTc5NzA3ZGYtZmQ0NC00MzBjLTg2NGUtNDk0ZTMwYWIxODZl%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22bff7eef1-cf4b-4f32-be3d-a1dda043c05d%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22126da81c-6368-43d8-a1ce-d29ec23da1f6%22%7d
Three questions to Yihui Yang
What is the thesis about?
"Premenstrual disorders (PMDs) , including premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), are common among women of reproductive age. The thesis studied risk factors and health consequences of PMDs over the lifespan. The findings showed childhood asthma and allergies were associated with a higher risk of PMDs, indicating the role of inflammaiton in the development of PMDs. In addition, age at menarche, higher BMI and smoking are potential causal risk factors of PMDs. Finally, although premenstrual symptoms are confined to reproductive years, PMDs are related to a higher risk early menopause, menopause-related vasomotor symptoms and cardiovascular diseases, indicating long-term clinical monitoring may be needed for affected women."
Can you tell us about some interesting results?
"One particularly interesting finding is that we found different subtypes of PMDs may have differential associations with these risk factors and health consequences. For example, PMDs with an earlier symptom onset may have a stronger association with childhood food allergy compared to those having symptom later. In addition, PMDs diagnosed earlier have a higher risk of future cardiovascular diseases. The thesis also analyzed PMD subtype by severity and comorbid psychiatric disorder, and found differences in their associations with risk factors or health outcomes over the lifespan. This may indicate potential heterogeneity within the singular PMD category."
What further research is needed in the area?
"Studies have illustrated genetic factors and varying childhood exposures (e.g., childhood BMI, childhood abuse, menarche timing) play a role in the development of PMDs. However, the perinatal period, another important period in early life, has not been well studied. We need more studies on how perinatal characteristics affect PMD risk. In addition, future work should combine traditional epidemiology with molecular approach to deep phenotype PMDs, and investigate how early-life risk factors and long-term outcomes differ between PMD subtypes."