“Population-based norms for the Human Papillomavirus-Quality of Life
(HPV-QoL) questionnaire: A cross-sectional multicenter study”
Abstract
Objective: To build the population-based norms for the
Human-Papillomavirus-Quality-of-Life (HPV-QoL) questionnaire, which
measures the impact of HPV on Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL).
Design: A cross-sectional, nationwide, multicenter study
Setting: Spain Population: Women from outpatient
clinics ranging from 25 to 65 years of age, with past or active HPV
infection diagnosis Methods: Central tendency, dispersion and
percentiles were calculated for the total score and its dimensions in
age groups. Construct validity was tested with the analysis of age
strata groups and correlations with other related scales (12-Item
General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12, Female Sexual Function Index
(FSFI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)). Main
outcome measures: Validity of the population-based norms for the
HPV-QoL questionnaire. Results: We recruited 1,352 women. The
norms showed moderate and significant coefficients of correlation with
other related scales. Significant differences between age strata groups
were found according to educational level, sexual dysfunction, sexual
activity, mental deterioration, and severity of anxiety and depression
symptoms (p<0.001 in all cases). Total score differed
significantly between those groups (p=0.006). Significant differences in
contagiousness, health and sexuality dimensions (p<0.05) were
found among age groups. HPV infection impaired women’s QoL. Dimensions
within all test age groups (p<0.001 in all cases) had
significant differences, being health-dimension the highest contributor
to women’s QoL impairment, while social well-being was the main
determinant improving QoL. Conclusions: Population-based norms
for the novel HPV-QoL questionnaire show adequate validity, a valid tool
for assessment of the impact of HPV infection in women QOL in Spain.