Desfechos clínicos associados ao aporte proteico em pacientes críticos: um estudo de revisão

Abstract

Introduction: Critical illness is characterized by an intense inflammatory response and hypercatabolism, resulting in accelerated muscle mass loss and a negative impact on clinical outcomes. In this context, nutritional therapy—particularly protein intake—plays a fundamental role in patient recovery. Objective: To analyze scientific evidence regarding the impact of protein intake on the clinical outcomes of critically ill patients. Methods: This is a narrative literature review using a qualitative approach, covering articles published over the last ten years in the PubMed, Virtual Health Library (BVS), and Scopus databases. Descriptors related to critical illness, nutritional therapy, and dietary proteins were used. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, five studies comprised the final sample. Results: The results revealed a high frequency of inadequate protein energy intake among patients admitted to intensive care units, primarily associated with factors such as interruptions in feeding, hemodynamic instability, and gastrointestinal complications. Discussion: Inadequate protein intake was linked to unfavorable clinical outcomes, including increased mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and poorer functional recovery. However, increasing protein intake did not always result in significant improvements across all evaluated outcomes. Conclusion: It is concluded that optimizing nutritional therapy, with an emphasis on protein intake, is a key determinant of the prognosis for critically ill patients; continuous monitoring and the individualization of nutritional strategies are essential.