title: Health-related quality of life and Chlamydia trachomatis infection in sexually experienced female inner-city students: a community-based cross-sectional study.
abstract: This cross-sectional study was undertaken to compare health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) in women with and without undiagnosed Chlamydia trachomatis infection. We analysed data from 2401 multi-ethnic sexually active female students aged 16-27 years who were recruited to a randomised controlled trial of chlamydia screening - the prevention of pelvic infection trial in 2004-2006. At recruitment, all participants were asked to provide self-taken vaginal swabs for chlamydia testing and to complete a sexual health questionnaire including quality of life (EQ-5D). Most women (69%) had an EQ-5D of one representing 'perfect health' in the five dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. We therefore compared the proportion of women with an EQ-5D score < 1 implying 'less than perfect health' in women with and without chlamydia infection, and women with symptomatic chlamydia versus the remainder. The proportion of women with EQ-5D score < 1 was similar in women with and without undiagnosed chlamydia: 34% (47/138) versus 31% (697/2263; RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.41). However, more women with symptomatic chlamydia had EQ-5D score < 1 than the remainder: 45% (25/55) versus 31% (714/2319; RR 1.47, CI 1.10 to 1.98). In this community-based study, EQ-5D scores were similar in women with and without undiagnosed chlamydia. However, a higher proportion of women with symptomatic chlamydia infection had 'less than perfect health'. Undiagnosed chlamydia infection may not have a major short-term effect on health-related quality of life, but EQ-5D may not be the best tool to measure it in this group.
authors.affiliation: 1 Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Trisha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sri
authors.affiliation: 1 Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Southgate
authors.affiliation: 1 Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kerry
authors.affiliation: 2 Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Primary Care and Public Health, London, UK.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nightingale
authors.affiliation: 1 Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Pippa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oakeshott
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008131:London / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Chlamydia trachomatis; EQ-5D; Health-related quality of life; cross-sectional study; women’s health