Characteristics of Perceived Stress and Salivary Levels of Secretory Immunoglobulin A and Cortisol in Japanese Women With Premenstrual Syndrome

Abstract

Background:Several studies have demonstrated the associations between Premenstrual Syndrome and perceived stress, and no studies quantifying stress based on biochemical parameters have been conducted.Objectives:The objective of this study was to examine the changes in biochemical parameters of stress and measured perceived stress during the menstrual cycle of women with premenstrual syndrome.Patients and Methods:A longitudinal observational study was conducted in 2010 in the Kansai region of Japan. Thirteen women with premenstrual syndrome and 11 controls, all with regular menstrual cycles, participated in this study. Salivary secretory immunoglobulin A (S-IgA) and cortisol levels were measured as biochemical parameters, and scores on the Stress Check List KM (SCL-KM) (Cronbach’s α in this study ranged from 0.76 to 0.84) were used to indicate perceived stress through two complete menstrual cycles. Before stress measurements were taken, premenstrual, menstrual and postmenstrual phases were confirmed based on records of basal body temperature across two menstrual cycles. Data analysis was performed using the Student’s t-test, analysis of variance with repeated measures, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient, as appropriate.Results:Both the postmenstrual S-IgA concentration and secretion rate were significantly lower in the group with premenstrual syndrome than in controls (P < 0.05). Premenstrual S-IgA concentrations were significantly higher than postmenstrual levels in the group with premenstrual syndrome (P < 0.05). No significant differences in cortisol levels were seen in either group during any phase. Premenstrual and postmenstrual phase SCL-KM scores were significantly higher in the group with premenstrual syndrome than in controls (P < 0.05). No significant changes in the SCL-KM scores were observed among menstrual cycle phases in either group. Postmenstrual S-IgA levels were negatively correlated with the SCL-KM score (P < 0.05).Conclusions:The stress due to psychosomatic changes in the menstrual cycle is associated with premenstrual syndrome. Measures of S-IgA, rather than cortisol or subjective responses to stress, may be most closely associated with PMS.

Hippocampal fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuation and functional connectivity changes in premenstrual syndrome

“…The DRSP items are typically classified into three clinically determined subgroups, including impairment of emotional, physical, and behavioral activities: depressive‐related symptoms (depression, hopelessness, worthlessness, guiltiness, troubled or excessive sleeping, and a feeling of being overwhelmed); physical symptoms (breast tenderness, headache, muscle or joint pain), and behavioral symptoms (anger/irritability with people); this study reported that the DRSP scores had moderate to strong correlations with the severity of premenstrual disorders. In addition, a study by Watanabe and Shirakawa indicated that higher DRSP scores were associated with more negative impact and stress among PMS patients . The present results revealed that PMS patients exhibited higher DRSP scores in the late luteal phase, suggesting that PMS patients experience a set of emotional, behavioral and physical changes, psychological susceptibility, and environmental stressors.…”

“…A range of related stressful conditions, including emotional dysregulation and impaired executive function, have been linked with modifications in the OFC, mPFC, and HIPP. In addition, psychological and physical changes have been associated with PMS, inducing a high level of perceived stress during the menstrual cycle . In the present study, alterations in FC between left HIPP and mPFC, MCC, PCC, PC, and OFC suggest that these regions may constitute an interactive circuit associated with emotional, behavioral, and physical modulations in PMS during the luteal phase.…”

“…In addition, a study by Watanabe and Shirakawa indicated that higher DRSP scores were associated with more negative impact and stress among PMS patients. 19 The present results revealed that PMS patients exhibited higher DRSP scores in the late luteal phase, suggesting that PMS patients experience a set of emotional, behavioral and physical changes, psychological susceptibility, and environmental stressors. Moreover, a previous study has demonstrated that an increase in negative symptoms is associated with greater functional impairment of HIPP.…”

Assessment of Salivary Biomarkers on Work- Related Stress

“…Yet, their morning salivary cortisol levels are still lying within the normal range (5.69 +/-4.58 ng/ml) stated by Brandtstadter et al [27]. Putting in mind that changes in immune function in response to stress, especially IgA are sometimes bi-directional [25], there could be an alternative explanation of the significant difference between researchers and employees regarding level of salivary cortisol. The other explanation favors employees suffering from chronic stress [28].…”

“…Researchers had significantly lower salivary cortisol level and higher values for IgA -despite being non significant-than employees that might suggest the presence of acute stress according to literature [22][23][24][25][26]. Yet, their morning salivary cortisol levels are still lying within the normal range (5.69 +/-4.58 ng/ml) stated by Brandtstadter et al [27].…”