Menstrual Symptoms, Health-Related Quality of Life, and Work Productivity in Japanese Women with Dysmenorrhea Receiving Different Treatments: Prospective Observational Study
Open accessAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Dysmenorrhea is a physical and mental burden for women, negatively affecting health-related quality of life (HRQL) and work productivity. However, data on HRQL and work productivity of Japanese women are scarce. METHODS: In this prospective observational study, 397 Japanese women received low-dose estrogen/progestin (LEP) or non-LEP treatment (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or Chinese herbal medicines) for primary/secondary dysmenorrhea and completed survey questionnaires online regarding menstrual symptoms, HRQL, and work productivity. Regression analysis was performed to compare the groups and evaluate outcomes over time using the paired t test. Subgroup analysis was performed using stratification by patient background, and correlations between improvement in menstrual symptoms/HRQL and work productivity were investigated using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Significant reductions in the modified Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (mMDQ) total score were shown in the LEP group (n = 251) (P < 0.01), but not the non-LEP group (n = 146). Significant improvements in HRQL, measured by the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey v2.0 (SF-36v2.0), were shown in the LEP group, but not the non-LEP group. Improvements were seen in mental component summary and 7/8 domains (role physical, bodily pain, general health, role emotional, mental health, vitality, and social functioning) in the LEP group, but not the non-LEP group. There were no differences in the physical component summary and role functioning in either group. Improvements in work productivity, measured by the modified Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (mWPAI), were greater in the LEP group vs. non-LEP group. Regression analysis showed differences in improvements between the groups in the mMDQ total score, SF-36v2.0, and mWPAI. A correlation between mMDQ or HRQL and work productivity was seen. CONCLUSION: In Japanese women, dysmenorrhea is associated with reduced HRQL and work productivity. In real-world clinical practice, improvements in physical and mental menstrual symptoms, HRQL, and work productivity were observed with LEP treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04607382 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
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Menstrual-associated symptoms were assessed using the Japanese version of the modified Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (mMDQ), a validated instrument comprising 54 items scored 1-4 (total score range 54-216).
“Menstrual‐associated symptoms during the premenstrual, menstrual, and postmenstrual periods were assessed using the Japanese version of the modified Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (mMDQ), which comprises 54 items scored from 1 to 4 (total score range: 54–216) 13 .”
From A study of changes in insulin requirements related to the menstrual cycle in Japanese women with type 1 diabetes using the advanced hybrid closed‐loop system (2026) · cites this paper as [13]
The Methods (Study Outcomes; page unavailable) identify the mMDQ as a measure used in the study, and the Results (Changes in Menstrual Symptoms Over Time; page unavailable) report scores before and during menstruation. Our copy does not establish assessment after menstruation, a Japanese-language version, validation, or the stated item count and scoring range; Methods directs readers to supplementary material for measure details. (LLM, conf=0.88)
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- Authors
- Yoshino, O., Takahashi, N., & Suzukamo, Y.
- Affiliations
- University of Yamanashi (JP)
- Bayer (Japan) (JP)
- Tohoku University (JP)
- Corresponding author
- Takahashi, Noriko
- Venue
- Advances in Therapy
- Published
- 2022-04-01
- Volume
- 39
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 2562-2577
- ISSN
- 0741-238X (ISSN-L)
- 1865-8652
- PMC
- PMC9123075
- OpenAlex
- W4220697912
- Cited by
- 34
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 10
- FWCI
- 5.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Advances in Therapy (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Bayer
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Menstrual Health and Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Endometriosis Research and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments
- Keywords
- dysmenorrhea, health-related quality of life, labor productivity, menstrual symptoms, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Chinese herbal medicine, Japanese women, SF-36
- MeSH terms
- Dysmenorrhea, Efficiency, Female, Humans, Japan, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires
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