Evaluating the prognosis of sepsis versus non-sepsis critically sick patients under mechanical ventilation

Abstract

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that often necessitates mechanical ventilation in critically ill patients. This study aims to compare the 6-month outcomes of sepsis and non-sepsis critically ill patients who received mechanical ventilation, shedding light on the long-term effects of these conditions.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) between January 2022 to December 2022. Patients were divided into two groups: sepsis and non-sepsis. Demographic data, comor bidities, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores, and mechanical
ventilation duration were collected. Primary outcomes included mortality, length of ICU stay, and ventilator-associated complications at 6 months post-admission.
Results: A total of 500 patients were included in the study, with 250 in each group. The sepsis group had a higher mean APACHE II score (p < 0.001) and longer mechanical ventilation duration (p < 0.001) compared to the non-sepsis group. At 6 months, the sepsis group exhibited a significantly higher mortality rate (42% vs. 28%, p = 0.013), longer ICU stay (median
21 days vs. 16 days, p = 0.032), and increased incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (25% vs. 14%, p = 0.049) compared to the non-sepsis group.
Conclusion: Sepsis in critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation is associated with worse 6-month outcomes, including higher mortality rates, longer ICU stays, and an increased risk of ventilator-associated complications. These findings underscore the importance of early recognition and aggressive management of sepsis in the ICU to improve longterm patient outcomes