The European Vulvovaginal Epidemiological Survey (EVES). Impact of history of breast cancer on prevalence, symptoms, sexual function and quality of life related to vulvovaginal atrophy

Abstract

Objective

Women with history of breast cancer (HBC) frequently suffer from vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA). European Vulvovaginal Epidemiology Survey (EVES) sub-analysis assesses the impact of HBC on VVA, sexual life and quality of life (QoL) in postmenopausal women.

Materials and methods

Women with at least one VVA symptom aged 45–75 years were included. EuroQol (EQ-5D-3L) and Day-to-Day Impact of Vaginal Aging (DIVA) questionnaires were filled to investigate QoL. VVA diagnosis was confirmed with objective gynecological examination. Comparison of postmenopausal women with and without HBC, and evaluation of treatment impact on VVA were performed.

Results

1985 postmenopausal women without HBC and 175 with HBC were included.

VVA was confirmed in 90.4% of women without HBC and 91.4% of women with HBC. There were no differences in VVA symptoms severity or vulvovaginal discomfort between groups. However, women with HBC who had completed treatment and had surgery 11–20 years previously versus those without HBC presented significantly worse Vaginal Health Index scores, as well as a higher prevalence of VVA objective diagnosis, although their overall symptom severity score was lower. Health status and QoL comparisons were similar.

Conclusions

Results support a similar burden in terms of VVA prevalence and symptoms, QoL and sexual function in postmenopausal women with and without HBC.

摘要

目的：有乳腺癌病史（HBC）的女性常患有外阴阴道萎缩（VVA）。 欧洲外阴阴道流行病学调查（EVES）分析评估了HBC对绝经女性的VVA, 性生活和生活质量（QoL）的影响。 材料与方法：纳入45-75岁至少有一种VVA症状的女性。填写了欧洲五维健康量表（EQ-5D-3L）和阴道老化日常影响（DIVA）调查以评估QoL。 通过妇科检查明确VVA的诊断。比较有无HBC的绝经后妇女, 以及评估治疗对VVA的影响。

结果：调查包括1985例无HBC的绝经女性和175例有HBC的绝经女性。

无HBC的女性中, 90.4％诊断为VVA, 有HBC的女性中, 91.4％诊断为VVA。 两组之间的VVA症状严重程度和外阴不适无明显差异。 那些在11至20年前进行手术, 完成治疗的HBC女性与无HBC女性相比, 其阴道健康指数评分明显较差, 并且VVA的患病率较高, 但总体症状严重程度评分较低。两组间健康状况和生活质量无明显差异。

结论：调查结果提示在有或无HBC的绝经女性中VVA患病率、症状、生活质量和性功能方面是相似的。

Keywords:

• Breast cancer
• postmenopausal
• quality of life
• sexual function
• vulvovaginal atrophy

Acknowledgements

Manuscript writing and editorial support was provided by Mónica Giménez, PhD, and Emili González-Pérez, PhD, from TFS Trial Form Support S.L., with financial support provided by Shionogi Ltd.

Disclosure statement

Rossella E. Nappi has financial relationships (as a lecturer, member of advisory boards and/or consultant) with Bayer-Schering Pharma, Endoceutics, Exceltis, Fidia, Gedeon-Richter, HRA Pharma, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer Inc., Shionogi Limited and Theramex.

Santiago Palacios has financial relationships (as a lecturer, member of advisory boards and/or consultant) with Pfizer, Servier, Amgen, MSD, Preglem, Gynea, Sandoz, Procare Health, Bayer, MSD, Serelys and Shionogi. He has also been a symposium speaker or advisory board member and has received research grants and/or consulting fees from Servier, Pfizer, GSK, Abbott, Ferrer, Bioiberica, Shionogi, Amgen, Novo Nordisk, Teva, Bayer Healthcare, Serelys and Gedeon Richter.

Nico Bruyniks was a consultant for Shionogi Ltd.

Martire Particco is an employee of Shionogi Ltd.

Nick Panay has received honoraria for lecturing and acting in an advisory capacity for a number of pharma companies, including Abbott, Bayer, Besins, Mithra, MSD, Mylan, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, SeCur and Shionogi.

Additional information

Funding

Sponsorship and article processing charges for this study were funded by Shionogi Ltd.