Sepsis survivors face a higher risk of dying for SIX YEARS after their battle with the life-threatening complication of an infection
- Study analysed almost 100,000 patients and found 15% died within a year
- Over the six year study, 44% died, with the elderly and males at higher risk
- Sepsis can lead to long-term problems that affect the organs and mental health
Sepsis survivors face a higher risk of death for years following their battle with the life-threatening illness, a study has revealed.
Around one in six patients in England discharged after a critical care admission for sepsis died within a year.
Two in five died within the six year study period, according to an analysis of almost 100,000 patients.
The elderly, men, and those with a complex health were at the highest risk, as many sepsis survivors go on to have long-term complications.
Worldwide, one-third of people who develop sepsis die – at least 46,000 people in the UK and 250,000 people in the US die as a result of sepsis every year.
Sepsis survivors face a higher risk of death for years following their battle with the life-threatening illness, a study published in JAMA Network Open has revealed
The research, led by Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital in London, included data on 94,748 patients from 192 critical care units in England.
All had survived a hospital battle with sepsis between April 2009 and March 2014, according to the study published in journal JAMA Network Open
More than two in five (44.1 per cent) of those included in the study had died by the end of March 2015.
A further six to eight per cent of those who recovered from the condition died each year over the next five years.
The severity of the condition and length of hospital stay were also found to increase the risk of death.
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.
He said the team are doing research to understand why sepsis survivors are at a high risk of death, but said there needs to be better follow-up care.
‘We now know the magnitude of this long-term risk of death in sepsis survivors,’ he said.
‘Being able to identify patients at the highest risk is key for us as clinicians, as it helps to plan ongoing care.
‘Given what we now know, we will be trying to find out what the best interventions are to prevent these deaths, how to identify those sepsis survivors who are at greatest risk and more likely to benefit the most from such interventions.
‘More importantly, this new research informs the health policy debate around how to plan follow-up care of sepsis survivors and critical illness survivors in general.’
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.
Post-sepsis syndrome is a condition that affects up to half of sepsis survivors, and it can affect organs including the lungs, kidneys and liver, according to Sepsis Alliance.
Psychologically, those who survive sepsis can suffer with insomnia, vivid hallucinations and panic attacks and decreased cognitive function.
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.
‘Whilst many survivors experience physical, physiological and emotional after-effects, the majority of people who survive sepsis will make a full recovery.
‘However, this kind of research is important as it highlights the need for better resources to inform survivors about the potential risks following sepsis, and better follow-up services for those people.’
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.’
Ms Gallagher said: ‘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.’
WHAT IS SEPSIS?
Sepsis occurs when the body reacts to an infection by attacking its own organs and tissues.
Some 44,000 people die from sepsis every year in the UK. Worldwide, someone dies from the condition every 3.5 seconds.
Sepsis has similar symptoms to flu, gastroenteritis and a chest infection.
These include:
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine in a day
- Severe breathlessness
- It feels like you are dying
- Skin mottled or discoloured
Symptoms in children are:
- Fast breathing
- Fits or convulsions
- Mottled, bluish or pale skin
- Rashes that do not fade when pressed
- Lethargy
- Feeling abnormally cold
Under fives may be vomiting repeatedly, not feeding or not urinating for 12 hours.
Anyone can develop sepsis but it is most common in people who have recently had surgery, have a urinary catheter or have stayed in hospital for a long time.
Other at-risk people include those with weak immune systems, chemotherapy patients, pregnant women, the elderly and the very young.
Treatment varies depending on the site of the infection but involves antibiotics, IV fluids and oxygen, if necessary.
Source: UK Sepsis Trust and NHS Choices
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