Validation of the cultural adaptation of the "Long Coronavirus Disease (COVID) Symptom and Impact Tools" for the Chilean population.

Abstract

Introduction: The Long Coronavirus Disease (COVID) Symptom and Impact Tools (ST and IT) are self-administered instruments designed to monitor symptoms and the impact of long COVID. We translated and culturally adapted these tools for use in Chile. This study evaluated internal consistency and test-retest reliability for the IT, described reported symptoms with the ST, and explored changes over time.

Methods: The first phase, previously published, involved translation and cultural adaptation. The second phase included 28 patients with persistent COVID-19 symptoms; 20 completed a second assessment. The IT assesses impact using six items, each scored 0-10 (total 0-60). The ST lists 53 symptoms across ten categories. Internal consistency of the IT was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and item-consistency indicators. Test-retest reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC, 95% CI) and a Bland-Altman analysis. ST responses were summarized with absolute and relative frequencies and confidence intervals.

Results: The IT showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.945; 95% CI 0.906-0.971). Test-retest reliability was acceptable (ICC 0.72; 95% CI 0.43-0.88), with minimal bias in the Bland-Altman plot. General, neurological, thoracic, and ear-nose-throat symptoms were the most frequent. Participants reported a mean of 19 symptoms, with no significant differences between visits.

Conclusions: The adapted tools demonstrated acceptable psychometric properties and appear suitable for use in Chile. Symptom reporting was extensive, underscoring the need for larger studies to confirm these findings.