Identification of Key Influencing Factors and Correlation Analysis of Self-Neglect Behavior in Elderly Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

Objective This study aimed to investigate the influencing factors of self-neglect behavior (SNB) in elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and provide a basis for clinical intervention. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 400 elderly patients with coronary heart disease who visited our hospital from January 2023 and June 2025.Based on the scores of the Elder Self-Neglect Scale (SESN), the patients were divided into a Low Self-Neglect (LSN) group (n = 179) and a High Self-Neglect (HSN) group (n = 221). Data were collected on the patients' general information, disease-related assessments, psychological evaluations, physical status, cognitive function assessments, and quality of life evaluations. Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were used to explore the relationship between self-neglect behaviors (SNB) and various factors, while univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the influencing factors of SNB. Results There were no significant differences in age, gender, and education level between the two groups (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification between the two groups ( P  < 0.05). The LSN group had significantly higher scores in psychological resilience, optimism, and self-efficacy than the HSN group ( P  < 0.05). The LSN group had significantly lower anxiety scores than the HSN group ( P  < 0.05). The LSN group also had significantly higher scores in the Fatigue Scale-14, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), overall well-being, and social support compared to the HSN group ( P  < 0.05). Correlation and logistic regression analyses showed that NYHA functional classification, psychological resilience, optimism, self-efficacy, fatigue, frailty, cognitive function, overall well-being, and social support were independent influencing factors of SNB in elderly patients with CHD. Conclusion SNB in elderly patients with CHD is influenced by multiple factors. Clinical healthcare providers should pay attention to patients’ psychological resilience, anxiety, social support, and cognitive function, and formulate individualized health management plans to improve their health status and quality of life. Clinical trial number not applicable.