Javier Calvo Torres

and 7 more

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.