Potential Profile of Self-Management and Associated Factors Among Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

This study aimed to identify latent profiles of self-management capacity among patients with NAFLD and to examine how demographic characteristics and chronic illness resource utilization differ across profiles.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using convenience sampling. A total of 309 patients with NAFLD were recruited from the fatty liver health management clinic and health examination center of a Grade III-A general hospital in Fujian Province between November 2023 and March 2025. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, the NAFLD Self-Management Scale, and the Chinese version of the Chronic Illness Resources Survey. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed to classify self-management capabilities. Differences between profiles in demographic and resource utilization variables were examined, and multinomial logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with profile membership.

LPA revealed two distinct self-management profiles: a "low self-management-poor daily life management" group (56.6%) and a "high self-management-good lifestyle management" group (43.4%). Profile membership was significantly associated with educational level, occupational categories, the severity of fatty liver disease, individual coping strategies, and health care team (P < 0.05). After adjustment, only education level, occupational categories, individual coping strategies, and health care team support remained independently associated with profile membership.

Patients with NAFLD demonstrate significant heterogeneity in self-management capacity. Identifying these profiles can help healthcare providers recognize patients with lower self-management capacity early, particularly those with lower educational attainment or physically demanding occupations.

These findings underscore the heterogeneity of self-management among patients with NAFLD and suggest that healthcare providers should prioritize early identification and tailored support for patients with lower self-management capacity, with attention to their psychosocial and coping resources.