Development and Validation of a Nomogram to Identify and Predict High-Distress Psychosocial Phenotypes in Tinnitus Patients: A Latent Profile Analysis

Evidence is limited on the multidimensional psychosocial heterogeneity among patients with subjective tinnitus, and practical tools for early risk stratification remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to identify distinct psychosocial phenotypes under the biopsychosocial model to pinpoint the high-risk population and to develop and validate a visualized nomogram predicting severe psychological distress for...

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

Audiologists and tinnitus clinicians should note this validated nomogram as a potential early-screening tool for high-distress psychosocial risk in tinnitus patients, though external validation in broader populations is needed before routine clinical adoption.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

Identifying high-distress tinnitus phenotypes early enables proactive referral to psychology or counselling services, potentially improving quality of life outcomes and reducing the burden of undertreated tinnitus-related mental health comorbidities.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Latent profile analysis identified distinct psychosocial subgroups among subjective tinnitus patients.
02A nomogram (a visual prediction chart) was developed to flag patients at high risk of psychological distress.
03Early risk stratification could guide referrals to mental health support for tinnitus patients.
04Validation was performed, but external validation in independent populations is not yet confirmed.
05Tinnitus-related distress is a major driver of help-seeking and quality-of-life impairment.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

Tinnitus patients can be classified into distinct high- and low-distress psychosocial phenotypes using latent profile analysis.

studysupported

The developed nomogram can accurately predict high-distress psychosocial phenotypes in tinnitus patients.

studypartially supported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42388458
DOI: 10.2147/PRBM.S614795.
Journal: Psychology Research and Behavior Management
Publication type: research_article
Evidence level: 4
Population: Adults with subjective tinnitus
Intervention: Latent profile analysis and nomogram development for psychosocial risk stratification

Primary outcomes

Identification of high-distress psychosocial phenotypes in tinnitus patients; Predictive accuracy of the developed nomogram

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