by Researchers have discovered which groups of people are most likely to die from sepsis.
Analysis of NHS data shows that people with certain medical conditions and disadvantaged people have a higher risk of developing sepsis and also a higher risk of death.
Experts found that people who have a “history of long-term exposure to antibiotics” are also at higher risk, as are people with learning disabilities.
Do you know the signs of #septicemia?
S – Difficulty speakingE – Extreme chills/muscle painP – Not urinatingS – Severe shortness of breathI – Feels like you are going to dieS – Mottled/discolored skinIf you suspect sepsis, call 9⃣9⃣9⃣ pic.twitter.com/6HANHAe1Ma
— West Midlands Ambulance Service #HelpUsHelpYou (@OFFICIALWMAS) November 18, 2023
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and occurs when the body overreacts to an infection and begins to attack its own tissues and organs.
In the new study, led by a team from the University of Manchester, experts analyzed data from 224,000 cases of sepsis in England between January 2019 and June 2022.
These cases were compared to more than 1.3 million people who did not have sepsis.
The researchers used a standardized measure of socioeconomic deprivation that uses information on income, employment, crime rate, living environment and education.
They found that people from the most deprived communities were 80% more likely to develop sepsis compared to people from the least deprived.
After adjusting for other factors, they found that people with a learning disability were at least three times more likely to be diagnosed with sepsis compared to people without it.
People with chronic liver disease have a three-fold increased risk of developing sepsis, while those with chronic kidney disease had an increased risk that was two to six times higher than that of the general population, depending on the stage of their disease.
Patients with cancer, neurological diseases, diabetes and immunosuppressive conditions were also at increased risk.
People who were underweight or obese were also more likely to develop sepsis.
Smokers also appeared to be at higher risk, according to the study, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine.
The researchers also reported that people of South Asian descent appeared to have a higher incidence of sepsis.
The academics also looked at deaths within 30 days of sepsis diagnosis.
They found that deaths were highest among people in their 80s and people of white ethnicity.
But after conducting a statistical analysis of the figures, they found that people from disadvantaged backgrounds, along with patients with chronic kidney disease and chronic liver disease, were the groups most at risk of dying within 30 days.
Co-author Professor Tjeerd van Staa, from the University of Manchester, said: “This study shows that socioeconomic deprivation, comorbidity and learning difficulties are associated with an increased risk of developing non-Covid-19-related sepsis and mortality. 30 days in England”. .
“This research highlights the urgent need for sepsis risk prediction models to take into account chronic disease status, deprivation status and learning difficulties, along with the severity of infection.
“There is an urgent need to improve sepsis prevention, including more precise targeting of antimicrobials to higher-risk patients.”
Study co-author Dr Colin Brown, antimicrobial resistance and sepsis lead at the UK Health Security Agency, added: “While serious infections and sepsis can affect anyone, our data highlights each the complex interaction between socioeconomic status, underlying medical conditions and sepsis. risk.
“Our research has found that some people were more likely to die from sepsis compared to others, including those from lower socioeconomic groups, and that those who need to take antibiotics more regularly are also at higher risk.
“Tackling inequalities is a fundamental part of our public health approach and a deeper understanding of who is affected by serious bacterial infections will help us better target interventions to address them.”
Dr Ron Daniels, founder and joint chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust, added: “As an intensive care doctor in Birmingham city centre, I often see patients from underrepresented communities who present with late sepsis.
“This important study reminds us that socioeconomic status and the presence of underlying diseases, which are often interrelated and also linked to ethnicity, influence the determination of inequality in the risk of developing non-Covid sepsis.
“Healthcare has a duty to reduce this inequality and improve access for all.
“This study therefore highlights the need for targeted education among members of the public in at-risk communities and for the healthcare professionals who care for them, which is why advocacy organizations such as the UK Sepsis Trust are working to develop resources in multiple languages, including different skin tones.
“However, we must remember that while the risk factors highlighted in this study are important, sepsis can still strike indiscriminately.”
Sepsis is considered a medical emergency, but it can be difficult to detect.
In adults, sepsis may initially feel like the flu, gastroenteritis, or respiratory infection.
Early symptoms include fever, chills and chills, rapid heartbeat, and rapid breathing.
Symptoms of sepsis or septic shock include feeling dizzy or faint, confusion or disorientation, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and cold, clammy, pale or mottled skin.
Any child who breathes very quickly, has a seizure or looks mottled, bluish, or pale, or has a rash that does not go away when pressed, may have sepsis.
And a baby or child under five years old who does not feed, vomits repeatedly, or has not urinated or wet a diaper for 12 hours may have sepsis.
The UK Sepsis Trust said the disease affects 245,000 people and claims 48,000 lives in the UK each year.
