AI Insight
This cross-sectional study of 137 patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) identified three distinct patterns of dyadic coping: low positive-high negative coping (16.1%), moderate positive-mild high negative coping (33.6%), and balanced coping (50.3%). The moderate positive-mild high negative coping group showed the highest levels of anxiety and depression despite maintaining moderate positive coping strategies. Healthcare payment method was identified as the most significant factor associated with subgroup classification.
Why it matters
The findings reveal that NMOSD patients with moderate positive coping skills can still experience severe psychological distress, challenging assumptions that positive coping alone is protective. This suggests clinicians should prioritize mental health interventions for this subgroup and consider socioeconomic factors like healthcare payment access when designing support programs for rare neurological disorder patients.
Understand the Science
AimThis study aims to identify latent subgroups of dyadic coping (DC) patterns among patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and examine factors associated with subgroup classification.DesignA cross-sectional study.MethodsThe study was conducted from June 2023 to August 2024, enrolling 137 patients with NMOSD. Data were collected via standardized instruments: a demographic questionnaire, the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI), the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression screening, and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed using Mplus 8.11 to identify coping subgroups, with distal outcomes (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) examined via the Bolck, Croon, and Hagenaars (BCH) method, followed by multivariate logistic regression to assess subgroup associated factor.ResultsAnalysis of the positive and negative coping dimensions revealed three distinct profiles among 137 participants: LP-HN (Low positive-High negative coping, n = 22, 16.1%), MP-MHN (Moderate positive-Mild high negative coping, n = 46, 33.6%), and BC (Balanced coping, n = 69, 50.3%). Significant intergroup differences emerged in premorbid residential status, healthcare payment method, physical activity frequency, the score of PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Multivariate analysis identified healthcare payment method as a significant associated factor. BCH analysis of distal outcomes further demonstrated that the MP-MHN group exhibited the highest levels of anxiety and depression, despite maintaining moderate positive coping.ConclusionNMOSD patients demonstrate heterogeneous DC patterns. The healthcare payment method identified as the key associated factor. The MP-MHN subgroup, with the highest psychological burden despite moderate positive coping, warrants prioritized interventions.
Source: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients dyadic coping patterns: a latent profile analysis