The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q) Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version

Menstruation is a process in which metabolic and hormonal changes occur periodically every month to maintain reproductive functions in women. This cycle, which continues from menarche to menopause, repeats approximately every 28 days and lasts 3-7 days (1). The menstrual cycle is divided into three phases, the follicular phase, the ovulation phase, and the luteal phase, in which the levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones change (2,3). In this cycle, which is regulated by the hormones released from the pituitary, hypothalamus and ovary, changes occur not only in the genital organs, but also in the nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, musculoskeletal system and metabolic functions (4). Responses to these changes, which cause physiological stress in the organism in women, are perceived in different degrees. The presence of recurrent abnormal bleeding or excessive pain may be a sign of various menstrual disorders (5). Evaluation of menstrual problems that negatively affect women's mood, social and work life is clinically important (6,7).

The scale, called Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q), was developed by Vannuccini et al. (2021), it is a tool that comprehensively evaluates menstrual problems (8). MEDI-Q assesses the effects of menstrual symptoms on quality of life, recreational activities, work and social relationships. It consists of 25 items covering different areas of menstruation-related symptoms such as pain, discomfort, psychological and cognitive changes, and gastrointestinal disturbances. The level of distress caused by each symptom is assessed in the menstrual cycle phases, taking into account not only its impact on functionality and quality of life, but also its frequency. MEDI-Q is a scale with good test-retest reliability and internal consistency (Cronbach's = 0.85) (8,9). The scale provides a total score (MEDI-Q Total Score) and three subscales that assess general menstrual distress. Subscales; the number of distressing symptoms (MS) during menstruation, the mean level of distress related to menstrual symptoms (MSD), and the Menstrual Specificity Index (MESI) (8,9), which measures the proportion of symptoms at which distress exacerbates during the menstrual phase.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Menstruation Disturbances
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Menstrual Distress Questionnaire

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 300

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Nurcan Contarli, MSc; Phone Number: 9396 03704189396; Email: nurcancontarli@karabuk.edu.tr
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Tarik Ozmen, PhD; Phone Number: 9029 03704189029; Email: tarikozmen@karabuk.edu.tr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Female university students between the ages of 18 and 45 who is native Turkish speaker

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female gender
• 18-35 years old
• Volunteer
• Native speaker Turkish

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Having a mental health problem

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Females; 18 Years to 45 Years (Adult )	Other: Menstrual Distress Questionnaire; The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q) is a new tool originally developed in Italian that comprehensively evaluates menstrual-related distress.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q)	The Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MEDI-Q) is a new tool originally developed in Italian that comprehensively evaluates menstrual-related distress.	10 minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Karabuk University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 31, 2023
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2023

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 9, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): July 17, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): July 17, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 9, 2023
• Last Verified: July 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Menstruation Disturbances
• Other Study ID Numbers: Menstrual Distress

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No