Understanding Post-Sepsis Syndrome: How Can Clinicians Help?

Abstract

Elisabeth C van der Slikke,1 Lise FE Beumeler,2,3 Madlene Holmqvist,4 Adam Linder,4 Robert T Mankowski,5 Hjalmar R Bouma1,6 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, 9713GZ, the Netherlands; 2Department of Intensive Care, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, 8934AD, the Netherlands; 3Department of Sustainable Health, Campus Fryslân, University of Groningen, Groningen, 8911 CE, the Netherlands; 4Department of Infection Medicine, Skåne University Hospital Lund, Lund, 221 84, Sweden; 5Department of Physiology and Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA; 6Department of Internal Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, 9713GZ, the NetherlandsCorrespondence: Hjalmar R Bouma, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University Medical Center Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, EB70, Groningen, 9700 RB, the Netherlands, Tel [phone], Email [email protected]: Sepsis is a global health challenge, with over 49 million cases annually. Recent medical advancements have increased in-hospital survival rates to approximately 80%, but the escalating incidence of sepsis, owing to an ageing population, rise in chronic diseases, and antibiotic resistance, have also increased the number of sepsis survivors. Subsequently, there is a growing prevalence of “post-sepsis syndrome” (PSS). This syndrome includes long-term physical, medical, cognitive, and psychological issues after recovering from sepsis. PSS puts survivors at risk for hospital readmission and is associated with a reduction in health- and life span, both at short and long term, after hospital discharge. Comprehensive understanding of PSS symptoms and causative factors is vital for developing optimal care for sepsis survivors, a task of prime importance for clinicians. This review aims to elucidate our current knowledge of PSS and its relevance in enhancing post-sepsis care provided by clinicians.Keywords: post-sepsis syndrome, sepsis, long-term outcome

Keywords

• post-sepsis syndrome
• sepsis
• long-term outcome