# Association between current major depressive episode and the occurrence of menstrual irregularities in the last six months in university students in Lima, Peru

## TL;DR

This study found that university students in Lima with moderate-severe depression are more likely to experience menstrual irregularities compared to those without depression.

## Contribution

The study identifies a significant association between moderate-severe depression and menstrual irregularities in Peruvian university students.

## Key findings

- 73.2% of participants experienced at least one type of menstrual irregularity.
- Moderate-severe depression was associated with a 33% higher risk of menstrual irregularities.
- Mild depression was not significantly linked to menstrual irregularities.

## Abstract

To evaluate whether there is an association between current major depressive episode (CMDE) and menstrual irregularities (MI), including amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, or polymenorrhea, in Peruvian university students in 2024.

An observational, cross-sectional, and analytical study was conducted on students from a private university in Lima, Peru. The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) was used to identify a CMDE, and a survey with closed-ended questions was used to identify cases of MI. The measure of association was the prevalence ratio (PR), derived from Poisson regression models, both crude and adjusted for potential confounding factors.

A total of 250 women between 18 and 30 years of age participated (median age: 20 years, interquartile range from 19 to 21 years). 73.2% presented at least one MI (amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, or polymenorrhea) and 70.8% had CMDE of any grade (29.2% mild and 41.6% moderate-severe). Compared to students without CMDE, the occurrence of any MI was more likely in those students with moderate-severe CMDE (aPR=1.33; 95% CI: 1.08-1.62; p=0.006), but was not different regarding those with mild CMDE (aPR=1.20; 95% CI: 0.95-1.5; p=0.112).

MIs and CMDE are frequent in university students. Moderate-severe CMDE was associated with a higher risk of MI. Future longitudinal studies will allow for the establishment of temporality and other relevant aspects to assess a possible causal relationship between MI and CMDE, including the specific relationship with each type of MI.

Evaluar si existe la asociación entre el episodio depresivo mayor actual (EDMA) y las irregularidades menstruales (IM), incluyendo amenorrea, oligomenorrea o polimenorrea, en estudiantes universitarias peruanas en el 2024.

Estudio observacional, transversal y analítico, en estudiantes de una universidad privada de Lima, Perú. Se utilizó el Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) para identificar un EDMA y una encuesta de preguntas cerradas para identificar casos de IM. La medida de asociación fue la razón de prevalencia (RP), derivada de modelos de regresión de Poisson, crudos y ajustados por potenciales factores de confusión.

Participaron 250 mujeres entre 18 y 30 años (mediana de edad: 20 años, rango intercuartil de 19 a 21 años). El 73,2% presentó al menos una IM (amenorrea, oligomenorrea o polimenorrea) y el 70,8% tuvo EDMA de cualquier grado (29,2% leve y 41,6% moderado-severo). En comparación con las estudiantes sin EDMA, la ocurrencia de cualquier IM fue más probable en aquellas estudiantes con EDMA moderado-severo, RPa=1,33; IC 95%: 1,08-1,62; p=0,006), pero no fue diferente con respecto a aquellas con EDMA leve (PRa=1,20; IC 95%: 0,95-1,5; p=0,112).

Las IM y el EDMA son frecuentes en estudiantes universitarias. El EDMA moderado-severo estuvo asociado a un mayor riesgo de IM. Futuros estudios longitudinales permitirán establecer la temporalidad y otros aspectos relevantes para valorar una posible relación causal entre las IM y el EDMA, incluyendo la relación específica con cada tipo de IM.