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

Most 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.

Prospective 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.

Nine 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.

This 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.