[The epidemiology of SIRS.sepsis in Japan]

We outline the epidemiology of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis and severe sepsis among intensive care unit (ICU) patients in Japan. One survey conducted in the ICU of a university hospital suggested that the prevalence of SIRS reached 84% among all ICU patients, and that about 8% of patients with SIRS progressed to severe sepsis. Gram-positive cocci were the most common isolates (58%) from ICU patients with sepsis. Moreover, a graded severity was noted from SIRS to sepsis and severe sepsis, with total in-hospital mortality of 6%, 20% and 63%, respectively. Thus, every effort should be made to decrease the risk of sepsis in ICU patients.