Trajectory characteristics and influencing factors of fear of progression among patients with first-ever stroke: A prospective cohort study

This study examined Fear of Progression (FoP) trajectories among first-stroke patients from onset to 6 months post-stroke and identified predictors for different subtypes. A total of 314 eligible patients were recruited via convenience sampling, with FoP assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months post-stroke. Latent class growth models (LCGM) were employed to identify FoP trajectories patterns, and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore associated factors. Three distinct patterns of FoP emerged among first-stroke patients, significantly associated with multiple factors including age, employment status, monthly income, health insurance coverage, Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), dimensions of the Coping Style Questionnaire (confrontation, avoidance, acquiescence), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This study contributes to understanding the heterogeneity of FoP patterns in this population, providing a theoretical basis for interventions aimed at alleviating their fear.