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

OBJECTIVE: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: 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.