Abstract:

Objective: To identify latent profile categories of fear of disease progression in young and middle-aged tuberculosis patients and to analyze the influencing factors associated with these categories. Methods: A convenience sampling approach was employed to select 312 young and middle-aged tuberculosis patients hospitalized in the Fifth People’s Hospital of Suzhou from January 2025 to June 2025. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the Simplified Fear of Disease Progression Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Comprehensive Scoring Scale for Financial Toxicity Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Tuberculosis Stigma Perception Scale. Latent profile analysis was performed to identify distinct categories of fear of disease progression. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the influencing factors. Results: The fear of disease progression in young and middle-aged tuberculosis patients was classified into two latent profile categories: the “Low Fear Risk-Disease Adaptation Group” (n=184, 58.97%) with a mean score of (28.19±5.41) on the Simplified Fear of Disease Progression Scale, and the “High Fear Risk-Dysfunction Group” (n=128, 41.03%) with a mean score of (41.65±5.20). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that economic security (OR=0.894, 95%CI: 0.808-0.989) and family support (OR=0.900, 95%CI: 0.835-0.970) were protective factors against fear of disease progression, while being married (OR=2.410, 95%CI: 1.101-5.275), participation in the New Rural Cooperative Medical System (OR=2.436, 95%CI: 1.083-5.481), treatment duration of 3 to 6 months (OR=2.628, 95%CI: 1.316-5.251), treatment duration >6 months (OR=4.621, 95%CI: 1.979-10.789), economic pressure and burden (OR=1.200, 95%CI: 1.081-1.331), future economic concerns (OR=1.157, 95%CI: 1.034-1.295), and negative self-feelings (OR=1.086, 95%CI: 1.026-1.150) were risk factors leading patients to the high fear risk group. Conclusion: The fear of disease progression in young and middle-aged tuberculosis patients exhibits significant heterogeneity. Tailored interventions based on identified profile categories are essential to address the varying needs of these patients effectively.

Key words: Tuberculosis, pulmonary, Fear, Factor analysis, statistical