Influencing factors associated with symptom profiles among multiple myeloma patients: A latent profile analysis

Background This study aims to investigate the latent profile characteristics of symptoms and their influencing factors in Chinese patients with multiple myeloma to establish a scientific foundation for developing symptom intervention programs and management strategies. Methods The study recruited multiple myeloma patients through convenience sampling from January 2024 to March 2024 in the hematology departments of three tertiary general hospitals in Zhejiang Province, China. Data collection utilized a sociodemographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire and the Chinese version of the M.D.Anderson Symptom Inventory-Multiple Myeloma Module (MDASI-MM) scale. The research conducted latent profile analysis of symptom characteristics, followed by univariate analysis and unordered multicategorical logistic regression to examine influencing factors across different profile categories. Results The study included 265 multiple myeloma patients. Latent profile analysis revealed three distinct symptom categories: "low incidence symptoms-walking distress" group (46.7%), "fatigue-daily life distress" group (37.9%), and "high symptom trouble fluctuation" group (15.4%). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that age, marital status, combination chemotherapy status, and ECOG score significantly influenced the different symptom latent profiles of multiple myeloma patients ( P  < 0.05). Conclusions Multiple myeloma patients exhibit substantial symptom heterogeneity, classifiable into three distinct latent profiles. Healthcare professionals should implement targeted and individualized nursing interventions to enhance symptom management for multiple myeloma patients, considering the specific characteristics of different latent profiles and their associated influencing factors.