Latent profiles and associated factors of fear of recurrence in postoperative gastrointestinal stromal tumours patients: A cross‑sectional study

BACKGROUNDGastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) carry substantial recurrence risk (50%-90% within 5 years post-surgery), and patients frequently experience persistent fear of recurrence (FoR) that is associated with impaired quality of life, yet heterogeneous FoR patterns in this population remain poorly characterized. AIMTo identify latent profiles of FoR in postoperative patients with GISTs and examine associated factors. METHODSThis single-centre cross-sectional study recruited postoperative GIST patients using convenience sampling from our hospital between September 2022 and August 2024.Patients completed the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Social Support Rating Scale, and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire during the first outpatient follow-up within one month after surgery.Latent profile analysis identified FoR subgroups, and multinomial logistic regression identified factors associated with profile membership. RESULTSA total of 380 patients were included (194 men).Three latent profiles were identified: Low fear-optimistic (34.7%, n = 132), moderate fear-fluctuating (40.8%, n = 155), and high fear-distressed (24.5%, n = 93).In this cross-sectional analysis, multinomial logistic regression showed that age 51-70 years was associated with lower odds of moderate fear [odds ratio (OR) = 0.369, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.167-0.812],while age 51-70 years (OR = 0.052, 95%CI: 0.018-0.148)and >70 years (OR = 0.078, 95%CI: 0.022-0.274)4 / 35 were associated with lower odds of high fear.Higher illness perception was associated with increased odds of both moderate (OR = 1.054, 95%CI: 1.030-1.079)and high fear (OR = 1.059, 95%CI: 1.02-1.097).Unemployment/retirement (OR = 13.300,95%CI: 2.890-61.242)and high pathological risk (OR = 13.273,95%CI: 1.089-161.897)were associated with high fear, whereas higher education was protective (OR = 0.415, 95%CI: 0.173-0.994). CONCLUSIONFoR in postoperative GIST patients is heterogeneous.In this cross-sectional sample, younger age, unemployment or retirement, high pathological risk, and negative illness perceptions were associated with severe FoR.