Incidence and Outcome of Sepsis in Respiratory Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to an infection. Several studies have provided epidemiological data on sepsis in critically ill patients in the developed countries with increasing incidence and decreasing mortality .However, there is limited information about sepsis in Egypt particularly in respiratory intensive care units (RICUs). This study aimed at assessing the incidence and outcome of sepsis in RICU, providing a crucially important data to increase awareness of the national impact of sepsis and highlighting the need for continued research into potential preventive and therapeutic interventions. This prospective observational study was conducted on patients admitted to RICU of Abbasia Chest Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, either with sepsis or acquired sepsis in the RICU from Severity of illness was assessed by acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II score) which was recorded within 24 hours from patient admission. Quick sepsis related organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score was recorded in emergency room and sepsis-related organ failure assessment (SOFA) score was recorded on ICU admission, and on 3rd and 7th day of ICU stay. Incidence of patients with sepsis to total number of patients admitted in the RICU in the same period was calculated. Type of infection (community or hospital acquired), infection site: (lungs, urinary tract, abdomen, surgical wound), pathogenic organisms (gram positive, gram negative, atypical bacteria and fungi) was recorded. Assessment was done also regarding number of patients who were on mechanical ventilation, length of RICU stay, presence of comorbidities, survived patients and dead ones, as regards causes of death and risk factors.