Exploring core symptoms and symptom clusters among patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A network analysis

IF 2.9 3区医学 Q1 NURSING

International Journal of Nursing Sciences Pub Date : 2025-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.ijnss.2025.02.006

Hao Liang, Jiehan Chen, Lixin Wang, Zhuyun Liu, Haoyou Xu, Min Zhao, Xiaopei Zhang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objectives

To identify core symptoms and symptom clusters in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) by network analysis.

Methods

From October 10 to 30, 2023, 140 patients with NMOSD were selected to participate in this online questionnaire survey. The survey tools included a general information questionnaire and a self-made NMOSD symptoms scale, which included the prevalence, severity, and distress of 29 symptoms. Cluster analysis was used to identify symptom clusters, and network analysis was used to analyze the symptom network and node characteristics and central indicators including strength centrality (r_s), closeness centrality (r_c) and betweeness centrality (r_b) were used to identify core symptoms and symptom clusters.

Results

The most common symptom was pain (65.7%), followed by paraesthesia (65.0%), fatigue (65.0%), easy awakening (63.6%). Regarding the burden level of symptoms, pain was the most burdensome symptom, followed by paraesthesia, easy awakening, fatigue, and difficulty falling asleep. Six clusters were identified: somatosensory, motor, visual, and memory symptom clusters, bladder and rectum symptom clusters, sleep symptoms clusters, and neuropsychological symptom clusters. Fatigue (r_s = 12.39, r_b = 68.00, r_c = 0.02) was the most central and prominent bridge symptom, and motor symptom cluster (r_s = 2.68, r_c = 0.10) was the most central symptom cluster among the six clusters.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated the necessity of symptom management targeting fatigue, pain, and motor symptom cluster in patients with NMOSD.

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来源期刊

International Journal of Nursing Sciences Nursing-Nursing (all)

CiteScore

6.10

自引率

2.60%

发文量

408

审稿时长

25 days

期刊介绍： This journal aims to promote excellence in nursing and health care through the dissemination of the latest, evidence-based, peer-reviewed clinical information and original research, providing an international platform for exchanging knowledge, research findings and nursing practice experience. This journal covers a wide range of nursing topics such as advanced nursing practice, bio-psychosocial issues related to health, cultural perspectives, lifestyle change as a component of health promotion, chronic disease, including end-of-life care, family care giving. IJNSS publishes four issues per year in Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct. IJNSS intended readership includes practicing nurses in all spheres and at all levels who are committed to advancing practice and professional development on the basis of new knowledge and evidence; managers and senior members of the nursing; nurse educators and nursing students etc. IJNSS seeks to enrich insight into clinical need and the implications for nursing intervention and models of service delivery. Contributions are welcomed from other health professions on issues that have a direct impact on nursing practice.