Contextualização sobre a aplicação do ìndice de vulnerabilidade clínico-funcional IVCF-20 revisão integrativa

Abstract

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization, countries face significant challenges in ensuring that their health and social systems are prepared to take advantage of demographic change (WHO, 2025). Aging is considered a natural, irreversible, and universal process, characterized by the gradual deterioration of the mature organism (Brazil, 2023a). This phenomenon develops throughout life, bringing with it physiological, morphological, functional, and biochemical changes (Araújo; Castro; Santos, 2018). Objective: To describe the application of the instrument "Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index (IVCF-20)," focusing on the assessment and health care of elderly individuals served in primary health care, in light of scientific literature on the subject. Theoretical Framework: Clinical and functional assessment allows for the early identification of risk factors, impairments, and specific needs, enabling appropriate strategies to promote the autonomy and quality of life of older adults, especially in the context of Primary Health Care (PHC) (Castro et al., 2018; Moraes et al., 2016; Sousa et al., 2019). Methodology: An integrative literature review was conducted, consulting databases indexed in Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Virtual Health Library/Nursing Database (BVS/BDENF), Medline/PubMed, and Coleciona SUS between August and September 2025. Four studies in Portuguese and English, related to the application of the IVCF-20 in care practices for older adults, published between 2021 and 2025, were included. Results: The results indicated the importance of understanding the frailty process in older adults and promoting preventive interventions, and that the IVCF-20, validated for use in primary health care, has quick and easy applicability. It was emphasized that risk stratification of the most frail elderly constitutes a strategy for structuring care and qualifying professionals, focusing on increasing the autonomy of the elderly, and that the Unified Health System (SUS) aims to strengthen the use of Primary Health Care (PHC) in the effective provision of comprehensive care to the elderly. Conclusion: The use of the IVCF-20 is fundamental for improving the quality of care for the elderly in the context of the SUS, especially in Primary Health Care (PHC). It can make work processes more effective and care coordination more efficient, and contribute to promoting the maintenance of functionality, autonomy, and quality of life of the elderly population.