Portuguese version of the Literacy Independent Cognitive Assessment (LICA) instrument in the evaluation of individuals aged 50 years or older with Itabaianinha syndrome.

Abstract

Individuals with congenital isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) in Northeastern Brazil have a normal lifespan with a prolonged healthspan. We hypothesize that their increased healthspan is accompanied by a reduced cognitive decline during aging. We have recently shown that these individuals have a similar total cognitive function and better attention and executive function than controls. These data were obtained using a Portuguese version of the Literacy Independent Cognitive Assessment (LICA) instrument, whose translation to facilitate cognitive research in Portuguese-speaking countries is described here. In the first stage, a psychologist and a psychiatrist translated the LICA instrument from English into Portuguese, and an English teacher proofread the translation. The second stage included its synthesis and cultural adaptation, carried out by Brazilian authors, and changes in some words and images. The third stage involved an evaluation round with two referees (independent psychologists). The fourth stage involved a back translation of the instrument, which demonstrated > 95% agreement with the original version. The fifth stage included a study to verify the understanding of the questionnaire by responders. In the sixth stage, an endocrinologist and a psychiatrist approved the final Portuguese version of the instrument, which was then administered to 15 individuals with IGHD and 15 controls older than 50 years. The LICA instrument was applied 59 times (5 times in the pilot study, 24 in the variability studies, and 30 in the experimental step). The interobserver and intraobserver variabilities were 99% and 96%, respectively. Cronbach's alpha was 0.76, indicating good reliability. The mean (± standard deviation) duration of the application was 39 ± 8.6 and 48.5 ± 5.8 minutes in literate and illiterate individuals, respectively. The Portuguese version of the LICA instrument was valuable for the cognitive assessment of individuals with Itabaianinha syndrome.