Objective To explore the potential categorical characteristics of body image in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and analyze the influencing factors of different categories, providing a basis for developing targeted intervention measures.

Methods Convenience sampling was used to select 203 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis as the research subjects. The survey was conducted using a general information questionnaire, the Body Image Scale (BIS), the Self Esteem Scale (SES), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to identify potential categories of body image among the patients, and univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to explore the influencing factors of each category.

Results The body image of patients with decompensated cirrhosis can be divided into three potential categories: the good physical adaptation group (87 cases), the physical cognitive distress group (75 cases), and the social behavior avoidance group (41 cases). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female, age ≤ 40 years, moderate-to-severe ascites, history of surgery, disease duration ≤ 5 years, and low self-esteem were the influencing factors for entering the physical cognitive distress group (P ＜ 0.05 ~ P ＜ 0.01); age ≤ 40 years, moderate to severe ascites, disease duration ＞ 10 years, low body mass index, low self-esteem, low social support, and high depression level were the influencing factors for entering the social behavior avoidance group (P ＜ 0.05 ~ P ＜ 0.01).

Conclusions There is significant heterogeneity in body image among patients with decompensated cirrhosis, which can be divided into three potential categories. Based on different types of characteristics, medical staff should focus on patients with specific risk factors including female sex, younger age, severe ascites, history of surgery, long course of illness, low self-esteem, low social support, and high levels of depression, and develop personalized psychological care and behavioral intervention strategies.