The Vulvar Pain Assessment Questionnaire inventory.

Area of Science:

• Gynecology
• Pain Medicine
• Psychology

Background:

• Millions experience chronic vulvar pain (vulvodynia), a condition intersecting sexuality and pain.
• Patients often delay seeking help, leading to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment.
• A comprehensive assessment tool is needed to address the multidimensional nature of vulvodynia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate the Vulvar Pain Assessment Questionnaire (VPAQ) for assessing chronic vulvar pain.
• To aid in the diagnosis, treatment formulation, and monitoring of vulvodynia.
• To enhance communication between patients and healthcare providers regarding vulvar pain.

Main Methods:

• A large item pool was created, covering pain characteristics, emotional/cognitive functioning, physical functioning, coping, and partner factors.
• The item pool was administered online to 288 participants with chronic vulvar pain.
• Exploratory factor analyses identified 6 primary scales; convergent and discriminant validity were assessed using established questionnaires.

Main Results:

• The VPAQ comprises 6 primary scales: Pain Severity, Emotional Response, Cognitive Response, Interference with Life, Sexual Function, and Self-Stimulation/Penetration.
• Brief screening and detailed versions are available, along with 3 supplementary scales for pain quality, coping, and relationship impact.
• Evidence of convergent and discriminant validity was observed, supporting the VPAQ's multidimensional assessment capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The VPAQ is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the complex aspects of vulvodynia.
• It can be utilized for diagnosis, treatment planning, and monitoring patient progress.
• The VPAQ has the potential to improve patient-provider communication and guide treatment referrals.