Well-being of women referred due to suspected side effects after human papilloma virus vaccination

INTRODUCTION: Due to increased reporting of presumed side effects following human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination, the Danish Health Authority established five HPV clinics aiming to improve the diagnostics and treatment of affected women. Here, we aimed to describe characteristics of affected women 1-2 years after they attended an HPV clinic and to explore whether women who believed their symptoms were caused by the HPV vaccine were less likely to report symptom improvement than those who did not. METHODS: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at the HPV clinic in Silkeborg, 2017-2018. Information on symptoms, HPV vaccination, basic characteristics, etc. was retrieved using a validated questionnaire. Data were analysed descriptively and by logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 120 women were included. The median age at the first vaccine dose and the first visit to the clinic was 15 years (interquartile range (IQR): 13-23) and 23 years (IQP: 20-27), respectively. The median time from the first visit to the time the questionnaire was completed was 1.3 years (IQR: 1-1.6). At the time of the questionnaire, most women reported a wide range of symptoms, with physical symptoms being more common than psychological symptoms, and 70% of the reported symptoms had not improved over time. Of note, 90% believed that their symptoms were caused by the HPV vaccine. No difference in symptom improvement was found between women who believed that their symptoms occurred because of the HPV vaccine and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Most women did not experience any improvement in their symptoms over time, and no association was found between lack of symptom improvement and believing that the HPV vaccine was causing the symptoms.