Abstract: Objective: To explore the categories and influencing factors of self-management behavior in patients with rheumatoid arthritis based on the common-sense model of self-regulation, and to provide a basis for precise intervention. Methods: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 298 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who visited the outpatient department of a tertiary grade A general hospital in Shandong province from March to August 2024. The survey instruments included a general information questionnaire, the Self-management Behavior Scale for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, and the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire. Cluster analysis was used to classify the categories of patient's self-management portraits, and the characteristics of the different categories of portraits were visualized in combination with Python's Wordcloud toolkit. Univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors. Results: The self-management behaviors of rheumatoid arthritis patients were divided into 3 categories: low management-free neglect group (23.5%), medium management-partial neglect group (56.7%), and high management-full autonomy group (19.8%). Age, occupation, family per capita monthly income, illness perception, and medical coping modes were the factors influencing the self-management behaviors of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (P<0.05). Conclusion: The self-management behaviors of patients with rheumatoid arthritis exhibit significant heterogeneity. Healthcare professionals should develop precise nursing intervention programs according to the characteristics of each portrait category to enhance patients' self-management behaviors.

Key words: rheumatoid arthritis; self-management; user portrait; cluster analysis; common-sense model of self-regulation