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Published on: June 15, 2019
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Severe sepsis in older adults
Reba Umberger1, Bonnie Callen, Mary Lynn Brown
1College of Nursing, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly
|June 4, 2015
Summary
Early sepsis detection in older adults is crucial. Atypical signs like confusion may precede typical symptoms, necessitating a review of age-related changes for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Severe sepsis is often underrecognized in older adults.
- Aging-related physiological changes can mask typical sepsis indicators.
- Immunosenescence may blunt the inflammatory response, complicating diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review special considerations for early severe sepsis detection in older adults.
- To highlight how normal aging processes can delay diagnosis.
- To emphasize the importance of prompt intervention for better outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of physiological changes in older adults related to sepsis.
- Comparison of typical systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria with atypical presentations.
- Examination of organ failure criteria in the context of aging.
Main Results:
- Older adults may exhibit blunted febrile responses and reduced white blood cell counts.
- Atypical signs such as confusion and decreased appetite can be early indicators.
- Typical sepsis criteria may not fully capture the disease in this population.
Conclusions:
- Early identification of severe sepsis in older adults requires awareness of atypical presentations.
- Prompt treatment is critical due to high mortality rates and complications.
- Addressing age-specific diagnostic challenges is essential for improving patient outcomes.
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