Community-acquired Severe Sepsis Research Articles

Circulating Th1 and Th2 Subset Accumulation Kinetics in Septic Patients with Distinct Infection Sites: Pulmonary versus Nonpulmonary.

Background Persistent peripheral CD4+T cell differentiation towards T helper (Th)2 rather than Th1 has been proved to be related to immunosuppression and poor prognosis in sepsis. However, it is unclear whether these circulating Th1 and Th2 subtype accumulations differed in septic populations of distinct infection sites and presented different associations with outcomes among patients with pulmonary versus nonpulmonary sepsis. Methods From a secondary analysis of a prospective observational study, seventy-four previously immunocompetent patients with community-acquired severe sepsis within 24 hours upon onset were enrolled. Whole blood was collected on the admission day (D0), 3rd day (D3), and 7th day (D7). The patients were classified as pulmonary (n = 52) and nonpulmonary sepsis (n = 22). Circulating Th1 and Th2 populations were evaluated by flow cytometry, and clinical data related to disease severity and inflammatory response were collected. The associations of circulating Th1 and Th2 subset accumulations with distinct infection sites or outcomes within subgroups were explored. Results Patients with pulmonary sepsis held similar disease severity and 28-day mortality with those of nonpulmonary sepsis. Of note is the finding that circulating Th2 levels on D7 (P = 0.04) as well as Th2/Th1 on D3 (P = 0.01) and D7 (P = 0.04) were higher in the pulmonary sepsis compared with nonpulmonary sepsis while Th1 levels were lower on D0, D3, and D7 (P = 0.01, <0.01, and =0.05, respectively). Compared to 28-day survivors, higher Th2/Th1 driven by increased Th2 were observed among 28-day nonsurvivors on D3 and D7 in both groups. The association between circulatory Th2 populations or Th2/Th1 and 28-day death was detected in pulmonary sepsis (P < 0.05, HR > 1), rather than nonpulmonary sepsis. Conclusions Circulating Th2 accumulation was more apparent among pulmonary sepsis while nonpulmonary sepsis was characterized with the hyperactive circulating Th1 subset among previously immunocompetent patients. This finding suggested that circulating Th1 and Th2 subset accumulations vary in septic subgroups with different infection sites.

Anti-NMDA Receptor Autoantibody Is an Independent Predictor of Hospital Mortality but Not Brain Dysfunction in Septic Patients.

The presence of autoantibodies against neuronal cell surface or synaptic proteins and their relationship to autoimmune encephalitis have recently been characterized. These autoantibodies have been also reported in other pathologic conditions; however, their role during sepsis is not known. This study detected the presence of autoantibodies against neuronal cell surface or synaptic proteins in the serum of septic patients and determined their relationship to the occurrence of brain dysfunction and mortality. This prospective, observational cohort study was performed in four Brazilian intensive care units (ICUs). Sixty patients with community-acquired severe sepsis or septic shock admitted to the ICU were included. Blood samples were collected from patients within 24 h of ICU admission. Antibodies to six neuronal proteins were assessed, including glutamate receptors (types NMDA, AMPA1, and AMPA2); voltage-gated potassium channel complex (VGKC) proteins, leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1), and contactin-associated protein-2 (Caspr2), as well as the GABAB1 receptor. There was no independent association between any of the measured autoantibodies and the occurrence of brain dysfunction (delirium or coma). However, there was an independent and significant relationship between anti-NMDAR fluorescence intensity and hospital mortality. In conclusion, anti-NMDAR was independently associated with hospital mortality but none of the measured antibodies were associated with brain dysfunction in septic patients.

Early and dynamic alterations of Th2/Th1 in previously immunocompetent patients with community-acquired severe sepsis: a prospective observational study

BackgroundT helper (Th) cells regulate sepsis processes, including primary pathogen clear and secondary pathogen defence. The objectives of this study were to determine the early and dynamic alterations of Th1 and Th2 populations to community-acquired severe sepsis upon onset among previously immunocompetent patients and whether it was related to clinical outcomes.MethodsThis prospective observational cohort study was conducted at a general intensive care unit (ICU) of a tertiary teaching hospital in China. Immunocompetent patients with community-acquired severe sepsis within 24 h upon onset were included as septic group. Healthy volunteers and critically ill patients without severe sepsis were recruited as controls. Whole blood was collected on D0, 3rd day (D3) and 7th day (D7) for septic group and once upon enrollment for controls. Th1 and Th2 populations were measured by flow cytometry and assessed for associations with 28-day mortality using cox proportional hazard models. Associations of dynamic alterations of Th cell subpopulations with clinical outcomes were investigated.ResultsThis study demonstrated that community-acquired severe sepsis patients (n = 71) had increased Th2/Th1 and Th2 populations, compared to healthy controls (n = 7) and critically ill patients without severe sepsis (n = 7) at admission. Among the septic cohort, values of Th2/Th1 were significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors on D0 (p = 0.04), D3 (p < 0.001) and D7 (p < 0.001). Patients with persistently increasing Th2/Th1 demonstrated the highest mortality (47.1%) and incidence of ICU-acquired infections (64.7%).ConclusionsTh2/Th1 was markedly up-regulated with Th2 dominance upon community-acquired severe sepsis onset among previously immunocompetent patients and its persistently dynamic increase was associated with ICU-acquired infections and 28-day death.Trial registration Institutional Ethics Committee of Zhongda Hospital, 2014ZDSYLL086, registered in June 2014-prospectively registered; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02883218, registered on 25 Aug 2016-retrospectively registered, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02883218?cond=NCT02883218&rank=1

Epidemiology of community-acquired sepsis in the Faroe Islands – a prospective observational study

Introduction: The aim of the study was to gather nation-wide epidemiological and clinical data in order to characterize community-acquired sepsis in the Faroe Islands, and to compare these data with epidemiological studies performed in other geographical areas.Methods: A prospective, observational study conducted from October 2013 until April 2015 to characterize sepsis, and to calculate incidence rates for community-acquired sepsis of any severity, community-acquired severe sepsis, community-acquired septic shock and community-acquired sepsis without community-acquired severe sepsis or community-acquired septic shock.Results: Of 5279 admissions, 583 cases fulfilled the criteria for community-acquired sepsis of any severity. The mean age of all cases was 67.6 ± 18.3 years. Men accounted for 298 (51.5%) admissions. Charlson comorbidity index was greater than 2 in 247 (42.4%) cases. The incidence of community-acquired sepsis of any severity was 1414/100,000 person-years at risk (95% CI, 1374–1440). The incidence rate for community-acquired sepsis without community-acquired severe sepsis and community-acquired septic shock was 719/100,000 person-years at risk (95% CI, 695–742), for community-acquired severe sepsis 644/100,000 person-years at risk (95% CI, 623–668), for community-acquired septic shock 51/100,000 person-years at risk (95% CI, 45–58). The highest incidence was seen in elderly patients.Conclusion: The incidence rates were slightly higher in men and increased with age, especially in those older than 85 years. Incidence rates of sepsis of any severity were higher than previously published from other countries.

Impact of Surgical Status on Hospital-Acquired Versus Community-Acquired Severe Sepsis

Impact of Surgical Status on Hospital-Acquired Versus Community-Acquired Severe Sepsis

Epidemiology of community-acquired severe sepsis. A population-based study

Background and objectiveMost studies aimed at getting to know the incidence of severe sepsis have methodological limitations which condition results that are difficult to compare and are inapplicable when it comes to estimating the necessary resources. Our objective is to evaluate the incidence and epidemiological aspects of community-acquired severe sepsis which require intensive care unit admission. Patients and methodProspective observational population-based study in a population of 180,000 adults over 15 years old and a general hospital with 350 beds and 14 ICU beds. All episodes of community-acquired infection requiring admission to ICU due to severe sepsis were registered over a period of 9 years. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, SAPS II score, length of stay in ICU, type of infection, isolated microorganism, and deaths during their ICU admission. A statistical bivariate analysis and a multiple logistic regression were performed. ResultsNine hundred and seventeen episodes with an average age of 65.2 years. The most frequent infectious focus was pulmonary (55.2%). The average SAPS II severity score index was 37.87 and mortality 19.7%. The annual incidence was 51.54 episodes per 100,000 adult inhabitants, meaning 1.97 ICU beds per day. In the multivariate analysis, the SAPS II score and a known aetiology were demonstrated as mortality risk factors. ConclusionsThis study brings us some epidemiological data from a population-based perspective which help us to care for patients better in our geographical area. The average annual incidence is 51.5 cases per 100,000 adult inhabitants which means that 2 ICU beds per day to attend this population.

Epidemiología de la sepsis grave adquirida en la comunidad. Estudio de base poblacional

Background and objectiveMost studies aimed at getting to know the incidence of severe sepsis have methodological limitations which condition results that are difficult to compare and are inapplicable when it comes to estimating the necessary resources. Our objective is to evaluate the incidence and epidemiological aspects of community-acquired severe sepsis which require intensive care unit admission. Patients and methodProspective observational population-based study in a population of 180,000 adults over 15 years old and a general hospital with 350 beds and 14 ICU beds. All episodes of community-acquired infection requiring admission to ICU due to severe sepsis were registered over a period of 9 years. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, SAPS II score, length of stay in ICU, type of infection, isolated microorganism, and deaths during their ICU admission. A statistical bivariate analysis and a multiple logistic regression were performed. ResultsNine hundred and seventeen episodes with an average age of 65.2 years. The most frequent infectious focus was pulmonary (55.2%). The average SAPS II severity score index was 37.87 and mortality 19.7%. The annual incidence was 51.54 episodes per 100,000 adult inhabitants, meaning 1.97 ICU beds per day. In the multivariate analysis, the SAPS II score and a known aetiology were demonstrated as mortality risk factors. ConclusionsThis study brings us some epidemiological data from a population-based perspective which help us to care for patients better in our geographical area. The average annual incidence is 51.5 cases per 100,000 adult inhabitants which means that 2 ICU beds per day to attend this population.

Discharge diagnoses versus medical record review in the identification of community-acquired sepsis.

IntroductionWe evaluated the accuracy of hospital discharge diagnoses in the identification of community-acquired sepsis and severe sepsis.MethodsWe reviewed 379 serious infection hospitalizations from 2003 to 2012 from the national population-based reasons for geographic and racial differences in stroke (REGARDS) cohort. Through manual review of medical records, we defined criterion-standard community-acquired sepsis events as the presence of a serious infection on hospital presentation with ≥2 systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. We also defined criterion-standard community-acquired severe sepsis events as sepsis with >1 sequential organ failure assessment organ dysfunction. For the same hospitalizations, we identified sepsis and severe sepsis events indicated by Martin et al. and Angus et al. International Classifications of Diseases 9th edition discharge diagnoses. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of the Martin and Angus criteria for detecting criterion-standard community-acquired sepsis and severe sepsis events.ResultsAmong the 379 hospitalizations, there were 156 community-acquired sepsis and 122 community-acquired severe sepsis events. Discharge diagnoses identified 55 Martin-sepsis and 89 Angus-severe sepsis events. The accuracy of Martin-sepsis criteria for detecting community-acquired sepsis were: sensitivity 27.6%; specificity 94.6%; positive predictive value (PPV) 78.2%; negative predictive value (NPV) 65.1%. The accuracy of the Angus-severe sepsis criteria for detecting community-acquired severe sepsis were: sensitivity 42.6%; specificity 86.0%; PPV 58.4%; NPV 75.9%. Mortality was higher for Martin-sepsis than community-acquired sepsis (25.5% versus 10.3%, P = 0.006), as well as for Angus-severe sepsis than community-acquired severe sepsis (25.5 versus 11.5%, P = 0.002). Other baseline characteristics were similar between sepsis groups.ConclusionsHospital discharge diagnoses show good specificity but poor sensitivity for detecting community-acquired sepsis and severe sepsis. While sharing similar baseline subject characteristics as cases identified by hospital record review, discharge diagnoses selected for higher mortality sepsis and severe sepsis cohorts. The epidemiology of a sepsis population may vary with the methods used for sepsis event identification.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13054-015-0771-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prognostic factors of Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in adults

ObjectivesThe mortality of severe sepsis has markedly decreased since the implementation of the Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines. The next logical step is to examine the necessity of individualized management guidelines for targeted therapy against specific bacteria. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause of community-acquired severe sepsis; however, little is known regarding the prognostic factors in adult patients with S pneumoniae sepsis. We aimed to identify prognostic factors in patients with S pneumoniae sepsis and to explore a subgroup of patients at high risk for death with detailed Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score analysis. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with S pneumoniae infection treated between 1st January 2006 and 31st July 2012. We identified prognostic factors for 28-day mortality using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. ResultsOf 171 patients (median age, 72 years) with S pneumoniae infection who were included in this study, the 28-day mortality was 17% (29/171). The SOFA score (odds ratio, 2.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.60-3.18; P < .001) and bacteremia (odds ratio, 19.0; 95% confidence interval, 4.06-90.20; P < .001) were identified as prognostic factors for the 28-day mortality. In a subgroup analysis with a cutoff value of the SOFA score determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis, patients with bacteremia and a SOFA score of at least 7 had a significantly higher mortality than did patients without bacteremia and a SOFA score lower than 7 (84% vs 0%, respectively). ConclusionsBacteremia and a SOFA score at least 7 were independent prognostic factors of poor outcome in S pneumoniae sepsis.

Community-, Healthcare-, and Hospital-Acquired Severe Sepsis Hospitalizations in the University HealthSystem Consortium.

Severe sepsis poses a major burden on the U.S. healthcare system. Previous epidemiologic studies have not differentiated community-acquired severe sepsis from healthcare-associated severe sepsis or hospital-acquired severe sepsis hospitalizations. We sought to compare and contrast community-acquired severe sepsis, healthcare-associated severe sepsis, and hospital-acquired severe sepsis hospitalizations in a national hospital sample. Retrospective analysis of severe sepsis discharges from University HealthSystem Consortium hospitals in 2012. United States. We used the criteria from Angus et al (discharge diagnoses for both a serious infection and organ dysfunction) to identify severe sepsis hospitalizations. We defined healthcare-associated severe sepsis as severe sepsis hospitalizations with an infection present at admission, where the patient was a nursing home resident, was on hemodialysis, or was readmitted within 30 days of a prior hospitalization. We defined community-acquired severe sepsis as all other severe sepsis patients with an infection present at admission. We defined hospital-acquired severe sepsis as severe sepsis patients where the documented infection was not present at admission. None. Prevalence of community-acquired severe sepsis, healthcare-associated severe sepsis, and hospital-acquired severe sepsis, adjusted hospital mortality, length of hospitalization, length of stay in an ICU, and hospital costs. Among 3,355,753 hospital discharges, there were 307,491 with severe sepsis, including 193,081 (62.8%) community-acquired severe sepsis, 79,581 (25.9%) healthcare-associated severe sepsis, and 34,829 (11.3%) hospital-acquired severe sepsis. Hospital-acquired severe sepsis and healthcare-associated severe sepsis exhibited higher in-hospital mortality than community-acquired severe sepsis (hospital acquired [19.2%] vs healthcare associated [12.8%] vs community acquired [8.6%]). Hospital-acquired severe sepsis had greater resource utilization than both healthcare-associated severe sepsis and community-acquired severe sepsis, with higher median length of hospital stay (hospital acquired [17 d] vs healthcare associated [7 d] vs community acquired [6 d]), median length of ICU stay (hospital acquired [8 d] vs healthcare associated [3 d] vs community acquired [3 d]), and median hospital costs (hospital acquired [$38,369] vs healthcare associated [$8,796] vs community acquired [$7,024]). In this series, severe sepsis hospitalizations included community-acquired severe sepsis (62.8%), healthcare-associated severe sepsis (25.9%), and hospital-acquired severe sepsis (11.3%) cases. Hospital-acquired severe sepsis was associated with both higher mortality and resource utilization than community-acquired severe sepsis and healthcare-associated severe sepsis.

Community- versus nosocomial-acquired severe sepsis and septic shock in patients admitted to a tertiary intensive care in Saudi Arabia, etiology and outcome.

Sepsis syndrome is a major worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality. While community-acquired severe sepsis and septic shock constitutes a major cause of admission to the intensive care unit, hospital-acquired severe sepsis and septic shock remain major preventable causes of ICU admission. This study evaluates the rate, etiology, complication and outcome of community- and hospital-acquired sepsis in a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia. This is a retrospective evaluation of all admissions with severe sepsis and septic shock to a general intensive care unit over a period of six months. A total number of 96 patients were included, which represented 15% of the total number of admissions during the study period. The mean age was 57.4 (SD 21). Sixty percent of cases were due to hospital-acquired infections, and 40% were community-acquired. The majority of the infections acquired in the hospital occurred in medical wards and intensive care units (27% and 21%, respectively). At least one co-morbid condition was present in 94% of the sample patients, with cardiovascular disease and diabetes being the most frequently encountered disorders (58%). Both community and hospital-acquired severe sepsis and septic shock carry very high mortality (58%). The ICU length of stay was significantly longer for hospital and ICU acquired infections. Both community and hospital-acquired infections carry high mortality. Hospital-acquired severe sepsis is frequent in medical wards and ICUs, and measures to further evaluate risk factors are prudent.

Community-Acquired Severe Sepsis: A Prospective Cohort Study

Severe sepsis (SS) is one of the principal causes of admission in intensive care units (ICU), with an associated high morbidity and mortality. This study intends to characterize epidemiology of community-acquired SS (CASS) with special emphasis in the prevalence of multidrug resistant organisms and independent prognostic factors associated with ICU mortality. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted over 3.5 years, including all consecutive adult patients with CASS admitted to a mixed ICU, in a 600-bed university-affiliated hospital. Results: 1221 patients were admitted into the ICU, 25% with CASS. The mean age was 59 years and the mean SAPS (simplified acute physiological score) was II 48. Most had septic shock (67%). Respiratory (57%), intra-abdominal (22%) and urinary tract (8%) infections were the main sources of infection. The overall isolation rate was 56%. The most common identified microorganisms were Streptococcus pneumoniae (27%), Escherichia coli (22%), Staphylococcus aureus methicillin sensitive (8%) and Haemophilus influenzae (7%). The median ICU and hospital length of stay were 8 and 16 days, respectively. The ICU mortality rate was 33. Independent risk factors associated with higher mortality were older age, higher SAPS II, septic shock and chronic hepatic disease. Female gender was independently associated with lower mortality. The type of microorganism was not significantly associated with prognosis. Conclusion: CASS was highly prevalent among ICU admissions. Independent risk factors associated with ICU mortality included older age and previous comorbidities, but mainly severity of acute illness reinforcing the need for early recognition and treatment. Multidrug resistant organisms were implicated in considerable proportion of community-acquired sepsis.

Delayed admission to the ICU is associated with increased in-hospital mortality in patients with community-acquired severe sepsis or shock

The aim of this study is to determine whether ward transfers causing delayed ICU admission are associated with increased in-hospital mortality in patients with community-acquired severe sepsis or shock. Community-acquired infections are among the leading causes of ICU admission [1]. The 30-day mortality for adult emergency department (ED) patients with a delay in ICU admission of up to 24 hours has been found to be significantly higher compared with patients admitted directly to the ICU from the ED [2].

Short- and long-term mortality in patients with community-acquired severe sepsis and septic shock

Severe sepsis and septic shock have a high 30-day mortality (10-50%), but the long-term mortality is not well described. The purpose of this study was to describe long-term mortality among patients with community-acquired severe sepsis or septic shock compared to a population-based reference cohort. Two hundred and twelve patients who, within the first 24 h after arrival at the hospital, presented with infection and had failure of at least 1 organ system were included. A population-based reference group of 79,857 patients was identified, and data on comorbidities were extracted from the National Danish Patient Registry. We analyzed the hazard ratio for mortality at predefined intervals. Absolute mortality within the first 30 days was 69/211 (33%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 25-41%), with a cumulative mortality of 121/211 (57%, 95% CI 48-69%) for the entire follow-up. Among septic patients who survived the first 30 days, the mortality hazard ratio was 2.7 (95% CI 1.7-4.3) until day 365, and among septic patients who survived the first year, the 1-4 y mortality hazard ratio was 2.3 (95% CI 1.7-3.3), compared to the community-based reference persons (multivariate Cox regression controlling for age, sex, and Charlson comorbidity index). Patients with severe sepsis and septic shock who survived the first 30 days had a 2.7 times higher mortality hazard in the first year and a 2.3 times higher mortality hazard in the next 3 y, compared to persons of similar age, sex, and comorbidity level.

Surviving sepsis bundle compliance: getting the time of the day it deserves

We appreciate the efforts of Almeida and colleagues to establish differences in compliance to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) bundle for patients with community-acquired severe sepsis, but we have some concerns [1]. The study is similar to other studies noting a difference in delivered care based on time [2]. Parikh and colleagues showed improvement in quality measures with the use of bundles and implementing the Leapfrog Intensive Physician Staffing Standard [3]. Almeida and colleagues showed only a 2% overall compliance rate with the entire 6-hour bundle, which is too small to draw conclusions. The difference between the compliance rate of the SSC bundle for day versus night was not statistically significant. The authors agree and state that the outcomes in community-acquired severe sepsis improve when all components of the SSC bundle are executed together [4]. However, the authors derive conclusions based on the compliance of individual components. Time zero was defined as the hospital entrance time. However, community-acquired severe sepsis was defined as the onset of infection before hospital admission or infection becoming evident in the first 48 hours. The patient presenting after 6 hours but before 48 hours would by default fail the compliance of the SSC bundle. Patient time groups (day and night) were different from nurse shifts (three shifts in a 24-hour period). The study did not take into account the possibility of handoff errors from nursing shift changes. Also the time between some patients’ hospital entrance and the completion of bundle components could have overlapped the cutoff time for two patient groups.

Differences in compliance with Surviving Sepsis Campaign recommendations according to hospital entrance time: day versus night

IntroductionHigher compliance with Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) recommendations has been associated with lower mortality. The authors evaluate differences in compliance with SSC 6-hour bundle according to hospital entrance time (day versus night) and its impact on hospital mortality.MethodsProspective cohort study of all patients with community-acquired severe sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit of a large university tertiary care hospital, over 3.5 years with a follow-up until hospital discharge. Time to compliance with each recommendation of the SSC 6-hour bundle was calculated according to hospital entrance period: day (08:30 to 20:30) versus night (20:30 to 08:30). For the same periods, clinical staff composition and the number of patients attending the emergency department (ED) was also recorded.ResultsIn this period 300 consecutive patients were included. Compliance rate was (night vs. day): serum lactate measurement 57% vs. 49% (P = 0.171), blood cultures drawn 59% vs. 37% (P < 0.001), antibiotics administration in the first 3 hours 33% vs. 18% (P = 0.003), central venous pressure >8 mmHg 45% vs. 29% (P = 0.021), and central venous oxygen saturation (SvcO2) >70%, 7% vs. 2% (P = 0.082); fluids were administered in all patients with hypotension in both periods and vasopressors were administered in patients with hypotension not responsive to fluids in 100% vs. 99%. Time to get specific actions done was also different (night vs. day): serum lactate measurement (4.5 vs. 7 h, P = 0.018), blood cultures drawn (4 vs. 8 h, P < 0.001), antibiotic administration (5 vs. 8 h, P < 0.001), central venous pressure (8 vs. 11 h, P = 0.01), and SvcO2 monitoring (2.5 vs. 11 h, P = 0.222). The composition of the nursing team was the same around the clock; the medical team was reduced at night with a higher proportion of less differentiated doctors. The number of patients attending the Emergency Department was lower overnight. Hospital mortality rate was 34% in patients entering in the night period vs. 40% in those entering during the day (P = 0.281).ConclusionCompliance with SSC recommendations was higher at night. A possible explanation might be the increased nurse to patient ratio in that period. Adjustment of the clinical team composition to the patients' demand is needed to increase compliance and improve prognosis.

Red blood cell transfusions are associated with lower mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock

To evaluate the effects of transfusions in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock on mortality. Propensity-matched analysis of a prospective observational database (April 2005 to February 2009). Twenty-two medical and surgical intensive care units in 12 teaching hospitals in Korea. One thousand fifty-four patients with community-acquired severe sepsis and septic shock. None. Of the 1,054 patients, 407 (38.6%) received a blood transfusion. The mean pretransfusion hemoglobin level was 7.7 ± 1.2 g/dL. Transfused patients had higher 28-day and in-hospital mortality rates (32.7% vs. 17.3%; p < .001, 41.3% vs. 20.3%; p < .001, respectively) and a longer duration of hospital stay (21 [interquartile range, 10-35] vs. 13 [interquartile range, 8-24] days; p < .001), but were more severely ill at admission (lower systolic blood pressure, higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at admission). In 152 pairs matched according to the propensity score depending on patient transfusion status, transfused patients had a lower risk of 7-day (9.2% vs. 27.0%; p < .001), 28-day (24.3% vs. 38.8%; p = .007), and in-hospital mortality rates (31.6% vs. 42.8%; p = .044). After adjusting for blood transfusion as a time-dependent variable in multivariable analysis, blood transfusion was independently associated with lower risk of 7-day (hazard ratio 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.19-0.50, p = .026), 28-day (hazard ratio 0.43, 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.62, p < .001), and in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.39-0.69, p < .001). In this observational study of patients with community-acquired severe sepsis and septic shock, red blood cell transfusions were associated with lower risk of mortality.

Prediction of Outcome from Community-Acquired Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock in Tertiary-Care University Hospital in a Developing Country

Our aim was to determine the risk factors on mortality in adult patients with community-acquired severe sepsis and septic shock. The main outcome measure was hospital mortality. This prospective single centre study was conducted from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2010, and included 184 patients, of whom 135 (73.4%) were with severe sepsis and 49 (26.6%) had septic shock. Overall, ninety-five (51.6%) patients have died, 60 (44.4%) in severe sepsis and 35 (71.4%) patients with septic shock. The lung was the most common site of infection 121 (65.8%), and chronic heart failure was the most frequent comorbidity 65 (35.3%). Logistic multivariate analysis identified three independent risk factors for mortality in patients with severe sepsis: positive blood culture (odds ratio, 2.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.13–5.06; P = 0.02), three or more organ dysfunctions (odds ratio, 3.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.62–9.53; P = 0.002), and Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II (odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.00–1.04; P = 0.01). In addition to SAPS II, positive blood culture, and three or more organ dysfunctions are important independent risk factors for mortality in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Community-Acquired Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: A Prospective Observational Study in 12 University Hospitals in Korea

A prospective multicenter observational study was performed to investigate the epidemiology and outcomes of community-acquired severe sepsis and septic shock. Subjects included 1,192 adult patients admitted to the 22 participating intensive care units (ICUs) of 12 university hospitals in the Korean Sepsis Registry System from April, 2005 through February, 2009. Male accounted for 656 (55%) patients. Mean age was 65.0 ± 14.2 yr. Septic shock developed in 740 (62.1%) patients. Bacteremia was present in 422 (35.4%) patients. The 28-day and in-hospital mortality rates were 23.0% and 28.0%, respectively. Men were more likely to have comorbid illnesses and acute organ dysfunctions, and had higher mortality and clinical severity compared to women. While respiratory sources of sepsis were common in men, urinary sources were predominant in women. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, cancer (odds ratio 1.89; 95% confidence interval 1.13-3.17), urinary tract infection (0.25; 0.13-0.46), APACHE II score (1.05; 1.02-1.09), SOFA score on day 1 (1.13; 1.06-1.21) and metabolic dysfunction (2.24, 1.45-3.45) were independent clinical factors for gender-related in-hospital mortality. This study provided epidemiological and clinical characteristics of community-acquired severe sepsis and septic shock in ICUs in Korea, and demonstrated the impact of clinical factors on gender difference in mortality.

Delayed ICU admission with community-acquired severe sepsis greatly increases mortality and resource use

While many severe sepsis (SS) patients go to the ICU on hospital admission, others with community-acquired infection (CAI) either progress to SS later in the hospitalization or are not considered severely ill on admission. The proportion of SS cases falling into these two groups is not known, and their outcomes are not well described.