Health and Socioeconomic Risk Factors for Developing Sepsis

Trends indicate that sepsis cases have been on the rise each year, likely due to factors such as an aging population, coexisting health conditions, invasive procedures, and the growth of drug-resistant pathogens that have few or no options for effective antimicrobial treatment. Patients are at a higher risk for developing sepsis, such as older people, women who are pregnant, infants less than one m hospitalized patients, and people with certain health conditions. A study published in Nature indicates that certain pre-existing health conditions are especially associated with increased risk for sepsis, including end-stage kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, congestive heart failure, and a history of substance abuse.

Aside from pre-existing health conditions, the study suggests that circumstances such as socioeconomic status, demographics, and education can all impact the likelihood of developing sepsis, although the relationship is not fully understood. While socioeconomic status and education themselves do not lead to a higher risk of sepsis, they may contribute to factors that adversely impact overall health, such as lack of exercise, vaccination refusal, poor nutrition, and smoking. Other possible contributors include living in a overcrowded household, reluctance to get medical care, and experiencing chronic stress.

Globally, sepsis disproportionately impacts people living in low- and middle-income countries. Although there is some overlap in risk factors, there are also important differences. Infection prevalence is higher in low- and middle-income countries because people often have limited access to clean water and sanitation, are exposed to environmental pollution, live in crowded households, and may also experience malnutrition. Those factors are then paired with difficulty accessing timely and appropriate medical care—which is critical for sepsis.

Although being aware of the various symptoms and risk factors for sepsis is extremely important—especially when it comes to seeking medical care in a timely manner—diagnostic tools play a critical role in confirming a sepsis diagnosis and helping to manage treatment. There are a few different types of tests that HCPs may use to inform the initial diagnosis, alongside other clinical factors. Once the healthcare professional suspects sepsis, their goal is to provide effective antimicrobial therapy to treat the underlying infection as soon as possible.

Additional testing during hospitalization can help the doctor find out the exact cause of infection, whether the antibiotics are working, whether they need to make any changes, and when it’s safe to discontinue the antibiotics.

Although advanced diagnostic tools are available in well-resourced settings in high-income countries, there are many barriers to access in low-resource environments, which can include rural areas and low- and middle-income countries. Those barriers must be addressed by governments and healthcare systems.

As a patient, however, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of sepsis, as well as risk factors. When seeking medical care, be sure to communicate any health conditions you have, or that your loved one has, because that can affect the doctor’s ability to make fully informed treatment decisions.

Each year, over 47 million people around the globe are impacted by sepsis. Of those, an estimated 11 million die. As the researchers conclude in their article for the MDPI journal, Epidemiologia, “The public, politicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals must work together to address the global burden of septic shock and sepsis.”