Norwegian general population normative data for the EORTC questionnaires; the core QLQ-C30, the sexual health questionnaire QLQ-SHQ22, and sexual domains of the QLQ-BR23/BR45

Objective The aim of this study was to provide gender-, age-, and morbidity-specific Norwegian general population normative values for the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires QLQ-C30, the sexual health questionnaire QLQ-SHQ22, and the sexual domains of the breast modules QLQ-BR23 and QLQ-BR45. Methods A random nation-wide sample stratified by gender and age groups (18–29, 30-39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69 and ≥70 years) was drawn from the Norwegian National Population Register. Participants were notified through National online health services (HelseNorge) and by postal mail. The survey included sociodemographic background information, HRQoL assessed by the EORTC questionnaires, and morbidity by The Self-Administered Comorbidity Questionnaire. Multivariable linear regression was carried out to estimate the associations of age, sex, and morbidity with the EORTC scale and item scores. Results Of the 15,627 eligible individuals, 5.135 (33%) responded. Women and persons with morbidities reported lower functioning and higher symptom burden than men and persons without morbidities, respectively, on nearly all EORTC scales. Sex differences were most prominent for Emotional Functioning, Pain, Fatigue , and Insomnia (QLQ-C30), Body Image, Sexual Functioning (QLQ-BR23/45), Importance of Sexual Activity, Libido , and Fatigue (QLQ-SHQ22). The score differences between persons with and without morbidity were highly significant and largest among the youngest and middle-aged groups. Conclusion The present study is the first to provide normative values for the EORTC sexual health questionnaire QLQ-SHQ22 and the sexual subscales of the QLQ-BR23 and QLQ-BR45, for all separately in age groups by sex and morbidity.