Urosepsis and the urologist!

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction that is caused by a dysregulated host response to the infection. Urosepsis contributes up to 25% of all sepsis cases. An important part of the management of urosepsis is to rule out possible surgical causes such as urolithiasis, obstructive uropathy, or abscess formation along the urogenital tract.

The aim of this study is to look at whether urological conditions and recent urological surgery contribute significantly to all patients admitted with urosepsis.

A total of 2679 urine cultures and 654 blood cultures performed in Connolly Hospital Emergency Department were reviewed between 2016 and 2018. Patients were included if they had a matching urine culture and blood culture performed within 24 hours of admission. A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients included in the study.

Our study included 85 patients admitted with urosepsis between 2016 and 2018. The average age was 70.3 years (21-100 years), in which 61% (n = 52) of patients were female, 18% (n = 16) had a long-term indwelling catheter, 11.8% (n = 10) were admitted as urosepsis with a urological condition. The most common urological condition predisposing patients to urosepsis in this study was bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. A total of 4.7% (n = 4) of patients died during their admission. The complications as a result of urosepsis included a prostatic abscess, a psoas abscess, an ileus, an infected cyst, and 1 case of emphysematous pyelonephritis.

In this study, the majority of patients admitted with urosepsis did not have an underlying urological condition or recent urological instrumentation. Clinicians should be aware of potential complications as a result of a urosepsis.