Oral mucositis self-management ability among cancer survivors receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy in China: A latent profile analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the self-management status of RIOM (Radiation-induced Oral Mucositis)/CIOM (Chemotherapy-induced Oral Mucositis) among cancer survivors in China, thereby uncovering latent profiles and predictors to guide supportive care interventions.

METHODS

Convenience sampling was conducted. A total of 399 cancer survivors who received radiotherapy/chemotherapy at a tertiary hospital in Zibo City between January and March 2025 were selected as the study participants. Using validated scales, we assessed the self-management ability of the RIOM/CIOM, social support (SSRS), and illness acceptance (AIS). Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified heterogeneous subgroups, and subsequent logistic regression analysis examined the associated factors.

RESULTS

Among the 399 enrolled cancer survivors, LPA stratified oral mucositis (OM) self-management ability into three distinct categories: Low Level-Negative self-management type (11.03%), Medium Level-Relatively self-management type (26.32%), High Level-Autonomous self-management type (62.66%). The key modifiable factors that were significantly associated ( ​< ​0.05) with OM self-management ability included psychosocial factors (disease acceptance and social support), behavioral factors (smoking status), and socioeconomic determinants (employment status, education level, marital status and monthly income).

CONCLUSIONS

The self-management ability of cancer survivors with OM undergoing radiotherapy/chemotherapy was above average, with significant heterogeneity observed. Health care providers should implement personalized interventions tailored to the distinct self-management profiles of different patient subgroups to enhance their OM self-management capacity.