LONDON: Sepsis survivors are at a heightened risk of death in the years following their illness, new research shows.
Of those discharged from hospital in England after a critical care admission, 15 per cent died within 12 months, according to a study published in journal JAMA Network Open.
A further 6 per cent-8 per cent of those who recovered from the condition died each year over the next five years, the analysis found. The research, led by Dr Manu Shankar-Hari, from Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital in London, included data on 94,748 patients from 192 critical care units in England.
All had survived to hospital discharge following a critical care unit admission for sepsis between April 2009 and March 2014. More than two in five (44.1 per cent) of those included in the study were not still alive by the end of March 2015.
Being older, male and having multiple health problems was found to increase the risk of death among sepsis survivors. The severity of the condition and length of hospital stay were also found to be possible risk factors.
Dr Shankar-Hari, a critical care physician, said: “This the first report of long-term risk of death in sepsis survivors using national data from England. We now know the magnitude of this long-term risk of death in sepsis survivors. Being able to identify patients at the highest risk is key for us as clinicians, as it helps to plan ongoing care.”
Sepsis is a serious complication of an infection, which occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts and begins attacking organs and tissues. It can lead to multiple organ failure and death if it is not spotted in time.
There are around 250,000 cases of sepsis every year in the UK, according to the UK Sepsis Trust. Dr Ron Daniels, chief executive of the charity, said: “It’s important that we don’t allow these new findings to cause undue alarm for those recovering from sepsis. This research focuses specifically on patients admitted to intensive care units, who are already at higher risk of death or long-term complications following sepsis.”
Rose Gallagher, from the Royal College of Nursing, said: “Patients who survive sepsis are also left with long-term physical and psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, fatigue, decreased cognitive function, anxiety, depression and insomnia.
“Life can be challenging not only for patients but also for their families. The services to support these patients varies across the country and there is a need for properly-resourced follow up services to support their emotional, psychological and physical rehabilitation needs.”