Sepsis-Related Mortality Among Patients with Pulmonary Disorders

Background: Sepsis is a one cause of increased morbidity and mortality in intensive care units (ICUs). Most studies on sepsis are performed on patients admitted in general or surgical ICU, with limited evaluation on patients admitted at the Respiratory Intensive care unit (RICU) with underlying pulmonary illness . The objective was to determine the mortality rate and the possible risk factors of sepsis in patients admitted at RICU. Methods: A cross-section observational study was performed on 100 patients admitted at RICU during a 6 months duration. Patients were devided into two groups : Sepsis and non sepsis groups. The two groups were compared in predictors of mortality by demographics, clinical and laboratory data. Fifty patients had sepsis based on systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) score ≥ 2 with the mean age of 60.5 years. Results: Twenty- seven patients out of 50 cases of sepsis (54%) died. Univariate regression analysis identified that detection of micro-organisms in sputum and or blood culture, low oxygen saturation 2 mmol/L were associated with mortality. In addition, variables significantly associated with mortality on multivariate regression analysis were age > 60 years, increase length of ICU stay, onset of symptoms of sepsis more than 1 week, presence of microbes on laboratory assay and elevated serum lactate. Conclusion: The prevalence of death in sepsis is high.Old age,presence of Gram-negative bacteria, elevated serum lactate,oxygen desaturation,use of vasopressor agents, use of invasive mechanical ventilation and renal failure were possible risk factors of mortality.