Cross-cultural adaptation of the Community Oriented Program for the Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) in a Colombian population

Abstract

IntroductionThe validation of questionnaires is fundamental in the measurement process of any research study. The Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases (COPCORD) questionnaire is useful as a screening tool for the detection of rheumatic diseases. ObjectiveTo adapt and validate the methodology and the COPCORD questionnaire in the Colombian population. Materials and methodsA validation study of the COPCORD methodology was carried out that included: (1) transcultural adaptation of the COPCORD questionnaire of Mexican Spanish, and (2) validation of the questionnaires: COPCORD, socioeconomic level questionnaire, use of health services and a quality of life questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L), following international guidelines. ResultsA total of 329 subjects of 6 cities in Colombia participated in the process, with 10 in the first phase and 309 in the second. Approximately two-thirds (67.3%) were women. The mean age was 46.4±18.4 years, with an educational level between basic and medium (77%). Participants resided in Bogota (29.4%), Barranquilla (22%), Cali (20.3%), Medellin (15.2%), Bucaramanga (6.4%), and Cucuta (6.4%). Musculoskeletal pain in the previous 7 days was reported by 43.6%, and historical pain was reported by 68.9%. A rheumatological diagnosis was established in 127 (41.1%) cases: osteoarthrosis (9.3%), regional pain syndromes (5.5%), low back pain (5.1%), and rheumatoid arthritis (0.9%). The internal validity was 0.70. When comparing the COPCORD questionnaire with the diagnosis made by the rheumatologist, it had a sensitivity of 70.8%, specificity 35%, positive likelihood ratio of 1.09m and area under the curve of 0.53. ConclusionsThe COPCORD questionnaire is valid as a screening test to detect musculoskeletal complaints and rheumatic diseases in the Colombian population.