ACANTHOSIS NIGRICANS IN THE NURSING CONSULTATION: A CUTANEOUS MARKER IN THE STRATIFICATION OF METABOLIC RISK IN DIABETES MELLITUS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/bocav25n76-009Keywords:
Acanthosis Nigricans, Diabetes Mellitus, Nursing Care, Risk Stratification, Primary Health CareAbstract
Introduction: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a cutaneous marker of insulin resistance and risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), but its incorporation into nursing consultations remains incipient. Objective: To synthesize the scientific evidence on the association between AN and metabolic risk, analyzing the production of knowledge focused on nursing practice. Methodology: Systematic review conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, LILACS, and CINAHL databases, including ten studies published between 1992 and 2025. Results: All studies confirmed a consistent association between AN and hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, DM2, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular risk. The prevalence of AN ranged from 4.5% to 74%, being higher in vulnerable populations. Brazilian studies demonstrated a significant association between AN and metabolic alterations in diabetic adolescents, children, and adults. Recent research has expanded the evidence to pregnant women and confirmed AN as an independent predictor of metabolic risk. Conclusion: Despite robust evidence accumulated over three decades, acanthosis nigricans (AN) remains underutilized in nursing consultations, representing a "forgotten sign" for metabolic risk stratification. The systematic inclusion of AN assessment in care protocols and the training of primary care nurses for early identification and appropriate management of metabolic risk in people with diabetes are recommended.
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