Using the communication assessment tool in family medicine residency programs.

Background And Objectives: The Communication Assessment Tool (CAT), developed by Makoul et al assesses patient perceptions of physicians' interpersonal and communication skills. The objective of this study was to gather initial benchmarking data for the use of the CAT in family medicine residency programs.

Methods: Data were collected from patients seeing 127 residents from six family medicine residency programs.

Late luteal phase dysphoric disorder in 670 women evaluated for premenstrual complaints.

Objective: The American Psychiatric Association's DSM-IV Work Group on Late Luteal Phase Dysphoric Disorder (LLPDD) reanalyzed existing data from prospective, daily symptom ratings to evaluate the DSM-III-R criteria for LLPDD. The objectives were to 1) evaluate the individual symptoms presently required for the diagnosis and other symptoms, 2) determine the proportion of treatment-seeking women who meet the LLPDD criteria, and 3) explore the association between LLPDD and other mental disorders.

Method: Data from over 1,000 women seeking evaluation for premenstrual complaints at five U.

Nonmedical management of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder : a preliminary report.

The authors report the results of an open trial of group behavioral treatment for women with a prospectively confirmed premenstrual syndrome. Treatment consisted of five weekly group behavioral sessions outlining and supporting lifestyle changes in diet, exercise level, and stress management. Patients monitored symptoms and adherence to dietary and exercise recommendations daily.

Late luteal phase dysphoric disorder in young women.

The authors determined the prevalence of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder in 217 university women aged 17-29 years. Unaware of the focus on premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the participants rated DSM-III-R symptoms of late luteal phase dysphoric disorder over 90 days. Using a 30% or greater premenstrual change as an index of luteal variation, the authors found that 10 women (4.

Prevalence of axis I and axis II disorders in women with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder.

The authors interviewed 78 female patients with late luteal phase dysphoric disorder and found a 78% lifetime prevalence of axis I disorders but only a 10% prevalence of axis II disorders. A prior depression was the predominant axis I disorder found, and 29% of parous patients had a prior postpartum depression. A comparison of Global Assessment Scale scores obtained at both the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle confirmed luteal increases in symptoms and role impairment.