Validez y fiabilidad de la versión en español del cuestionario SKILLD en una población panameña

Introduction: The objective was to study the validity and reliability of a Spanish version of the SKILLD (Spoken Knowledge in Low Literacy in Diabetes Scale) in patients with T2D in Veraguas (Panama) and to assess their knowledge about this disease. Method: The study was conducted in four health centers in Veraguas (Panama). Participants completed the SKILLD questionnaire, and their HbA1C was measured. Construct validity (principal component factor analysis) and criterion validity were assessed, as well as reliability (Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest). Results: A total of 175 patients participated in the study, of whom 115 (68 %) were women. The mean age was 60.0 years (SD: 12.0). According to BMI, only 29.1 % (51) had a normal weight. The 67.4 % of patients had uncontrolled T2D. The mean HbA1C was 8.6 % (SD: 2.3). The mean SKILLD score was 4.1 (SD: 2.1). Regarding SKILLD, reliability measured by internal consistency was α = 0.559, and temporal stability was ICC = 0.803 (95 % CI = 0.670-0.882). The principal component factor analysis extracted four factors that explained 55.3 % of the total variance. Conclusions: Patients in the Veraguas region (Panama) have low knowledge about their type 2 diabetes, regardless of whether their HbA1C values are within the ADA recommended range or not. The SKILLD questionnaire has proven to be a useful, reliable, and valid tool, although further studies are needed to reinforce these findings.