Posted ByTechViewSepsis is a global health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated it as a global health priority and states that it is a syndromic response to infection and frequently leads to death from various infectious diseases.
A study published in The Lancet estimates that there were 48.9 million cases and 11 million deaths related to sepsis worldwide in 2017, accounting for nearly 20% of all global deaths. Children are particularly affected, with an estimated 20 million cases and 2.9 million deaths among children under five years of age.
A study published in the Indian Journal of Applied Research analyzed 50 patients from the intensive care unit of Asram Medical College and Hospital. The research found that sepsis was prevalent among elderly patients between the ages of 65 and 74, with 74% of cases being males and 26% being females.
The mean age of patients was 54.68 years. 40% were diagnosed with sepsis, 44% had severe sepsis, and 16% were diagnosed with septic shock. The mortality rate was 0% for sepsis, 31.8% for severe sepsis, and 75% for septic shock. Overall, there was a 26% mortality rate at the end of 28 days of follow-up from the date of diagnosis of sepsis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that anyone can develop sepsis as a result of an infection, severe injury, or serious non-communicable disease. However, certain groups are at a higher risk, such as older adults, pregnant or recently pregnant women, newborns, hospitalized patients, and those in intensive care units. Additionally, individuals with conditions such as HIV/AIDS, liver cirrhosis, cancer, kidney disease, autoimmune diseases, and those without a spleen are also at increased risk.
It is important to note that India has more sepsis-related deaths than any other South Asian country, with a death rate of 213 per 100,000 people. A study by an International Research Consortium found that Afghanistan has the highest rate of sepsis deaths at 285 per 100,000 people. Other countries in the region have lower death rates, including Pakistan at 206, Nepal at 183, Bangladesh at 136, Bhutan at 109, Sri Lanka at 69 and Maldives at 27.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has adopted Resolution WHA 70.7 at the 70th World Health Assembly to combat sepsis as a global health emergency and aims to improve prevention, diagnosis, and clinical management of sepsis.