INFECÇÕES EM PACIENTES COM DIABETES MELLITUS: UMA REVISÃO DA LITERATURA SOBRE SUSCETIBILIDADE E GRAVIDADE.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and represents a major global public health problem. It is categorized into two subtypes: type 1 DM and type 2 DM. DM not only increases susceptibility to infections but also worsens their severity and prognosis, often leading to serious complications such as amputations and increased mortality.This study aimed to identify the main risk factors for the development of severe infections and their complications in patients with diabetes mellitus, based on the available scientific literature. An integrative literature review was conducted between January and April 2025. The following electronic databases were used for article selection: LILACS, SCIELO, PubMed Portal, Google Scholar and BVS. The descriptors used in both Portuguese and English were: "infecção" (infection), and "Diabetes Mellitus" (Diabetes Mellitus), resulting in a total of 2,067 articles. The inclusion criteria were: full-text articles available online, published between 2020 and 2025, with abstracts addressing the topic of infections in diabetic patients, written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. In the end, 16 articles were selected, read in full, and used in the research.It was found that diabetic individuals are more susceptible to various infections due to hyperglycemia, which increases pathogen virulence and triggers cytokine storms, exacerbating conditions such as COVID-19. Glycemic control is crucial to prevent complications and infections such as tuberculosis. The high incidence of foot problems and the risk of amputation in diabetic patients with infections highlight the need for self-care and early evaluation. Geographic disparities in the prevalence of infections among diabetics suggest the influence of socioeconomic factors and access to healthcare. Preventive strategies and optimized glycemic management are essential.