title: Anogenital warts: influence on quality of life in Dutch soldiers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anogenital warts are one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted virus infections in the Netherlands and cause frustration, shame, and even depression. This study was performed to determine the effect of having anogenital warts on the quality of life in Dutch soldiers with the use of a dermatology-specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used the Skindex-29 QoL questionnaire in 100 predominantly heterosexual soldiers with clinically confirmed first episode of condylomata acuminate in this study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results confirmed that first episodes of anogenital warts cause high mean scores on subscale Emotions with lower scores on the subscales Symptoms and Functioning. Sex, age, educational level, anatomical site, or number of anatomical sites did not influence the outcome in this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Having anogenital warts influences QoL, especially with regard to intimacy, shame, and concern. Our data show that the Skindex-29 QoL questionnaire can be easily used in these patients with good internal consistency. Clinicians should be aware of the great emotional impact of anogenital warts on their patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Central Military Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands. e.vandersnoek@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: van der Snoek
authors.forename: Sharon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Couwenberg
authors.forename: Anneke M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lammers
authors.forename: Anton M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: van Loon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001004:Anus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires