IMPACT OF SARCOPENIA ON THE CLINICAL COURSE OF CRITICALLY ILL HIPERTENSIVE PATIENTS: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CONTINUITY OF NURSING CARE

Abstract

This study addresses the relevance of sarcopenia to the clinical prognosis and continuity of care for individuals with systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), spanning from hospital admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) through to post-discharge follow-up within primary health care (PHC). It is a scoping review with a qualitative approach, based on scientific articles published primarily between 2020 and 2026, sourced from databases including SciELO, PubMed, BVSMS, LILACS, the Brazilian government portal (Portal Gov), the Federal Nursing Council portal (Portal COFEN), SCOPUS, Oxford Academic, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The study highlights that sarcopenia—characterized by a loss of muscle mass and muscle weakness—is linked to adverse clinical outcomes, such as longer hospital stays, an increased likelihood of complications, higher mortality, and impaired functional recovery. Furthermore, this condition is frequently diagnosed as a secondary issue, particularly in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as SAH. The crucial role of nursing is emphasized, specifically regarding the early screening for sarcopenia, the implementation of interventions during hospitalization, and the continuity of care following discharge. The transition from the ICU to primary health care is a vulnerable period, requiring integrated, patient-centered strategies applied with equity. In conclusion, systematic nursing care contributes to better clinical outcomes and an improved quality of life.