Trends of sepsis hospitalizations among female active component U.S. service members, 2011-2022

Studies of sepsis within the U.S. military population have consistently shown that rates of sepsis have increased over time. The observed higher incidence of sepsis in studies among women compared to men of the active component U.S. military population is of concern and warrants further evaluation, as it diverges from incidence typically observed in the U.S. general population. The objectives of this study were to examine cases of sepsis among active component U.S. service women between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2022, compare them to active component men in the U.S. military, and identify factors associated with sepsis among female active component service members. In this study, female active component service members evinced higher rates (66.5 per 100,000 person-years) compared to males (36.7 per 100,000 person-years), with a rate of sepsis 1.9 times higher after adjusting for demographic and military-related factors. Rates of sepsis were higher among women with a history of co-morbidities. Rates of sepsis hospitalizations among female active component service members have consistently been higher compared to male active component members. Female active component members had 1.9 times higher rates for hospitalization for sepsis compared to active component service men after adjusting for demographic and military-related factors.