77P - Normative data on the sexual health questionnaires - QLQ-SHQ22, and the sexual domains of the QLQ-BR23/BR45 - for Norwegian general population with and without cancer

Background

Sexual dysfunction is of the most common late effects after cancer. Normative general population data on sexual health is essential for supporting the interpretation of patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) in cancer studies and clinical practice and can contribute to improve survivorship care. This study aims to provides age-, sex- and morbidity specific Norwegian normative values for the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires; the Sexual Health Questionnaire QLQ-SHQ22, and the sexual domains of the breast modules QLQ-BR23/QLQ-BR45 inindividuals with and without history of cancer.

Methods

A nationwide general population sample stratified by sex and age (18–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70-79 years) was drawn from the Norwegian Population Register. Participants were notified through National online health services and postal mail. The survey included sociodemographic background, morbidity assessed bythe Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire and sexual health assessed by the sexual health EORTC questionnaires.

Results

Of the 15,627 eligible individuals, 5,135 (33%) responded. Among these, 453 persons reported being diagnosed one or several times with cancer, and 4669 persons had no former history of cancer (breast, prostate, gynecological and others). Individuals with cancer scored significantly lower (p<0.01) on several functional scales: libido (scores 54 vs. 70), sexual functioning (45 vs 58), sexual enjoyment (67 vs 76), and for women femininity (65 vs. 84). The most prominent differences in symptoms were fatigue (32 vs 20) and worry of incontinence (27 vs. 9). Women and individuals with comorbidities had in general poorer sexual health, and differences were most pronounced in the youngest age groups.

Conclusions

The present study is the first to use normative EORTC data to compare sexual health in individuals with- and without cancer. Sexual health was in general significantly poorer in individuals with history of cancer compared to individuals without cancer.

Clinical trial identification

Editorial acknowledgement

Legal entity responsible for the study

Randi Johansen Reidunsdatter.

Funding

Norwegian Cancer Society and Norwegian Breast Cancer Society.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.