The long-term consequences of sepsis: Years of treatment and care needs


Date:
December 9, 2021
Source:
Charite' - Universita"tsmedizin Berlin
Summary:
Three in four sepsis survivors experience new-onset memory problems,
psychological impairments or physical diagnoses. This also applies
to more than half of sepsis survivors under the age of 40 at the
time of their discharge from hospital.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Three in four sepsis survivors experience new-onset memory problems, psychological impairments or physical diagnoses. This also applies to
more than half of sepsis survivors under the age of 40 at the time of
their discharge from hospital. These are just two of the findings of
a retrospective analysis of anonymized health claims data conducted
by a team of researchers from Charite' -- Universita"tsmedizin Berlin,
Jena University Hospital and the research institute of the Local Health
Care Funds (AOK). The study, which explores the frequency and costs of postsepsis morbidity, has been published in JAMA Network Open.


==========================================================================
The term 'sepsis' refers to dangerous organ dysfunction caused by an exaggerated immune response to infection. Sepsis is a life-threatening
medical emergency which develops when the body's response to an infection causes extensive tissue damage, preventing organs like the kidneys
or liver from functioning properly. Worldwide, sepsis is the leading
cause of death related to infection. A total of 320,000 cases of sepsis
are treated in German hospitals every year. In-hospital mortality is
alarmingly high, standing at approximately 25 percent. According to recent studies, the majority of patients with severe COVID-19 develop sepsis.

Findings obtained by the Center for Sepsis Control and Care (CSCC) at Jena University Hospital (UKJ) have been pivotal in fostering collaborative endeavors combining patient-oriented basic research with clinical
research in the field of sepsis. Other research interests include rehabilitation and the long-term consequences of severe disease. An interdisciplinary post-COVID center is currently in development. The
current study investigating sepsis- related morbidity, risk factors,
treatment and costs is the result of a partnership between the UKJ
and Charite', which is funded via the Federal Joint Committee's German Innovation Fund (Innovationsfonds). For this research, the two partners
also joined forces with WIdO, the AOK's research institute.

The study team had access to the anonymized health data of more than
23 million people insured with the German health insurance provider AOK
between 2008 and 2017. The researchers identified 159,684 individuals aged
15 years or older who were hospitalized with sepsis during 2013 or 2014, receiving treatment on either a normal or intensive care ward. For each of these patients, the researchers collated data on prior morbidities as well
as data on new diagnoses recorded during the three years post sepsis. They
also recorded any relevant post-sepsis treatment and care needs. "As part
of our analysis, we looked for new physical, psychological and cognitive impairments which are known to develop as a result of sepsis, including cardiovascular disorders, cognitive and motor impairments, fatigue and depression," says project lead Dr. Carolin Fleischmann-Struzek.

Three out of four sepsis survivors recorded a new diagnosis during the
first year after discharge; more than 30 percent of sepsis survivors died during this time period. Among younger patients (aged under 40 years),
the proportion of people who developed post-sepsis complications was 56 percent. Expanding on the frequency of health complications, the study's
last author, Prof. Dr.

Christiane Hartog, a health services researcher at Charite''s Department
of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, emphasizes: "The
majority of survivors experience psychological, cognitive and physical symptoms. The fact that these often occur together only increases the
severity of their impact.

Surprisingly, there appears to be very little difference between
individuals whose sepsis was less severe and individuals who needed
intensive care. This finding may have particular relevance to individuals
with post-COVID syndrome." The researcher also analyzed costs associated
with inpatient and outpatient treatments, rehabilitation, treatments
(such as physical or occupational therapy) and drugs. Average treatment
costs amounted to a total of EUR29,000 for the first three years after discharge. This total included emergency and transport costs, medical
supplies, care costs and indirect costs such as absence from work. More
than 30 percent of sepsis survivors were newly dependent on nursing
care during the first year following their discharge from hospital,
while 13 percent of survivors of severe sepsis were newly dependent
on residential care. The researchers also note the dearth of adequate
follow-up care. Only 5 percent of sepsis survivors were discharged
into inpatient rehabilitation facilities. "The impact of sepsis is
enormous and lasts for years -- and it is felt by survivors, their
families and the health care system," says Dr. Fleischmann-Struzek "For
this reason, we need specific care concepts for post sepsis follow-up." ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by
Charite'_-_Universita"tsmedizin_Berlin. Note: Content may be edited for
style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Carolin Fleischmann-Struzek, Norman Rose, Antje Freytag, Melissa
Spoden,
Hallie C. Prescott, Anna Schettler, Lisa Wedekind, Bianka Ditscheid,
Josephine Storch, Sebastian Born, Peter Schlattmann, Christian
Gu"nster, Konrad Reinhart, Christiane S. Hartog. Epidemiology
and Costs of Postsepsis Morbidity, Nursing Care Dependency, and
Mortality in Germany, 2013 to 2017. JAMA Network Open, 2021; 4
(11): e2134290 DOI: 10.1001/ jamanetworkopen.2021.34290 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/12/211209142534.htm

--- up 5 days, 7 hours, 13 minutes
* Origin: -=> Castle Rock BBS <=- Now Husky HPT Powered! (1:317/3)