Chronic complications of diabetes mellitus and the role of nurses in secondary prevention

Abstract

The objective of this research was to identify, through the scientific literature of the last five years, the chronic complications of Diabetes Mellitus and the role of nurses in the secondary prevention of these complications. Method: The methodology adopted was an integrative literature review, using the PRISMA protocol to organize and analyze the selected studies. The PICO strategy was employed to formulate the research question, and the search was conducted in the LILACS and SciELO databases, resulting in four full-text articles in Portuguese. The research covered studies published between 2021 and 2025. Results: The results showed that chronic complications associated with Diabetes Mellitus, such as neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular diseases, are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality rates, directly impacting the quality of life of patients. The role of the nurse was found to be essential in continuous glucose monitoring, health education, and complication prevention. The review revealed that education on healthy habits, glycemic control, and monitoring comorbidities such as hypertension and dyslipidemia are key practices for secondary prevention. However, challenges such as treatment non-adherence, resource scarcity, and inadequate professional training were identified as barriers to effective interventions. Conclusion: It is concluded that the nurse plays a crucial role in the secondary prevention of Diabetes Mellitus complications, being essential for early complication detection and promoting self-care among patients. To optimize outcomes, investment in professional training and greater access to care, especially for vulnerable populations, is necessary. Public policies that integrate multidisciplinary care and health promotion are essential to improving the management of Diabetes Mellitus and reducing the impact of its chronic complications.