The long-term burden of severe sepsis and septic shock: Sepsis recidivism and organ dysfunction

Severe sepsis and septic shock mortality has improved; however, rates of persistent (28-90 days) and long-term (>90 day) organ dysfunction in sepsis survivors are unknown.

Secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of adult emergency department patients with severe sepsis.

Of 110 sepsis admissions, we obtained follow-up on 51 of 78 survivors of whom 41% (21 of 51) had persistent organ dysfunction: pulmonary, 18% (9 of 51); renal, 22% (11 of 51); coagulopathy, 10% (5 of 51); cardiovascular, 6% (3 of 51); hepatic, 2% (1 of 51); and neurologic, 3% (3 of 51). We obtained follow-up on 40 of 73 survivors at more than 90 days of whom 38% (15 of 40) had long-term organ dysfunction: pulmonary, 13% (5 of 40); renal, 18% (7 of 40); coagulopathy, 3% (1 of 40); cardiovascular, 5% (2 of 40); hepatic, 0%; and neurologic, 5% (2 of 40). Readmission rate within 90 days was 32% (25 of 78), and recurrent sepsis was the cause of readmission in 52% (13 of 25). Baseline SOFA scores from the index sepsis admission were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum test and were significantly different in participants with organ dysfunction versus those without organ dysfunction at less than 90 days (z, -2.51; p = 0.01).

Readmission with recurrent sepsis and organ dysfunction occurs frequently in sepsis survivors. Baseline SOFA score may be predictive of sepsis recidivism and persistent or recurrent organ dysfunction.

Prognostic/epidemiologic study, level IV.