Introduction:

The validation of questionnaires is fundamental in the measurement process of any research study. The Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Dis eases (COPCORD) questionnaire is useful as a screening tool for the detection of rheumatic diseases.

Objective:

To adapt and validate the methodology and the COPCORD questionnaire in the Colombian population.

Materials and methods:

A 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.

Results:

A 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 1.09 m and area under the curve of 0.53.

Conclusions:

The COPCORD questionnaire is valid as a screening test to detect musculoskeletal complaints and rheumatic diseases in the Colombian population.

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