OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical characteristics and risk factors of pyogenic liver abscess complicated by sepsis in children. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 120 children with pyogenic liver abscess admitted from May 2004 to January 2024. According to the presence of sepsis, the children were divided into a sepsis group (82 cases) and a non-sepsis group (38 cases). The clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared, and risk factors associated with the occurrence of sepsis were identified. RESULTS: Among the 120 children with pyogenic liver abscess, 68.3% (82/120) had sepsis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that fever, elevated white blood cell count, and decreased albumin level were closely associated with the occurrence of sepsis (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that white blood cell count and albumin levels had significant predictive value for sepsis (P<0.05), and the combination of white blood cell count and albumin level showed higher predictive value for sepsis than the albumin level alone (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The clinical manifestations of children with pyogenic liver abscess complicated by sepsis are non-specific. Fever, elevated white blood cell count, and decreased albumin level are risk factors for sepsis in children with pyogenic liver abscess. Clinically, for children with unexplained fever and imaging suggestive of liver abscess, pyogenic liver abscess should be considered. If laboratory tests show elevated white blood cell count and decreased albumin level simultaneously, there should be a high level of suspicion for the development of sepsis.
Humans ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Risk Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis/etiology* ; Child, Preschool ; Infant ; Child ; Leukocyte Count ; Logistic Models ; Adolescent ; Serum Albumin/analysis*

A 39-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital with abdominal distension, unconsciousness, and anuria. Head computed tomography (CT) showed subarachnoid hemorrhage and diffuse cerebral edema. The high-density area of contrast accumulation region in the high-density CT plaque was 38 HU, and the preliminary diagnosis was SAH, incomplete intestinal obstruction, and sepsis caused by acute cerebrovascular disease. After admission, the patient displayed upturned eyes, limb convulsions, serum procalcitonin level exceeding 100 ng/mL, low blood pressure and septic shock. Imipenem was given for intensive anti-infection therapy. After treatment, procalcitonin levels showed a slow decline, renal function, and intra-abdominal pressure returned to normal, urine volume gradually increased, but platelets still showed a downward trend. Lumbar puncture showed colorless and clear cerebrospinal fluid, and the biochemical and routine results of cerebrospinal fluid were normal. SAH and intracranial infection were excluded, and it was considered that the head CT showed pseudo-subarachnoid hemorrhage. On the 3rd day of admission, laparoscopic exploratory laparotomy+appendectomy+abdominal drainage under general anesthesia were performed. During surgery, purulent gangrene in the appendix was found, with pus adhering to the surface of the intestines and a large amount of pus present in the abdominal cavity. Rhabdomyolysis syndrome developed after surgery. After continuous renal replacement therapy, the indicators gradually returned to normal. The patient was conscious, and the head CT results were normal. The patient was discharged from the hospital on the 19th day after surgery, and no special discomfort and abdominal pain and distension occurred during the 3-month follow-up.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Sepsis/diagnostic imaging* ; Multiple Organ Failure/etiology* ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage/complications*

This study reports the diagnosis and treatment of a 26-year-old pregnant woman with severe malnutrition combined with acute pyelonephritis causing sepsis, refractory septic shock and multiple organ failure. A female patient, 26 years old, was admitted to hospital mainly due to "menelipsis for more than 19 weeks, nausea and vomiting for 20 days, fever with fatigue for 3 days". At the end of 19 weeks of intrauterine pregnancy, the patient presented with fever accompanied by urinary tract irritation. Laboratory tests showed elevated inflammatory indicators, and ultrasonography showed bilateral pelvicalyceal dilation. She was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis, sepsis, acute kidney injury (AKI) and severe malnutrition. After a whole-hospital consultation, the patient was treated with meropenem and vancomycin as antimicrobial therapy, and bilateral nephrostomy drainage was performed simultaneously. After that, the patient suffered a sudden decrease in blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and rapid heart rate. Septic shock with multiple organ dysfunction was considered, and she was transferred to intensive care unit (ICU) immediately. After the patient was transferred to ICU, emergency tracheal intubation and ventilator-assisted ventilation were performed. Rapid fluid resuscitation was administered for the patient. While pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PICCO) monitoring was performed, norepinephrine, terlipressin, and methylene blue were administered to maintain peripheral vascular resistance. Since the patient developed septic cardiomyopathy and cardiogenic shock later, levosimendan and epinephrine were admi-nistered to improve cardiac function. While etiological specimens were delivered, meropenem, teicoplanin and caspofungin were given as initial empiric antimicrobial therapy. Unfortunately, the intrauterine fetal death occurred on the night of admission to ICU. On the 3rd day of ICU admission, a still-born child was delivered vaginally with 1/5 defect of the fetal membrane. On the 6th day of ICU admission, the patient had fever again with elevated inflammatory indicators. After excluding infection in other parts, intrau-terine infection caused by incomplete delivery of fetal membrane was considered. Then emergency uterine curettage was performed and the infection gradually improved. Later the laboratory results showed that the nephrostomy drainage was cultured for Escherichia coli and uterine, cervical and vaginal secretions were cultured for Candida albicans. Due to severe infection and intrauterine incomplete abortion, the patient developed disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Active antimicrobial therapy and blood product supplement were given. However, the patient was critically ill with significant decrease in hemoglobin and platelets combined with multiple organ failure. Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) was not excluded yet, so plasma exchange was performed for the patient in order not to delay treatment. The patient underwent bedside continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) for AKI. The patient was complicated with acute liver injury, and the liver function gradually returned to normal after liver protection, antimicrobial therapy and other treatments. Due to the application of large doses of vasoactive drugs, the extremities of the patient gradually developed cyanosis and ischemic necrosis. Local dry gangrene of the bilateral toes remained at the time of discharge. In general, the patient suffered from septic shock, cardiogenic shock, combined with DIC and multiple organ dysfunction. After infection source control, antimicrobial therapy, uterine curettage, blood purification treatment, nutritional and metabolic support, the patient was discharged with a better health condition.
Humans ; Female ; Pyelonephritis/complications* ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Multiple Organ Failure/etiology* ; Shock, Septic/etiology* ; Sepsis/etiology* ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious ; Malnutrition/complications*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of using different filters in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on the mortality, inflammatory mediator level and hemodynamics in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted. The patients with SA-AKI undergoing first CRRT admitted to the critical care medicine department of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from August 2022 to October 2023 were enrolled as the study objects, and they were divided into observation group and control group by random number table method. All patients received routine treatment including anti-infection, optimized volume management and organ function support. On this basis, the observation group was treated with oXiris filter for CRRT, while the control group was treated with ordinary filter for CRRT, and the first treatment time was ≥ 36 hours. General data of the two groups were collected and compared. At the same time, the inflammatory indicators [high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin-6 (IL-6)], sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood lactic acid (Lac), noradrenaline dosage and other related indicators were collected before CRRT treatment and 24 hours and 48 hours after treatment, and the 7-day and 28-day mortality of patients were recorded. RESULTS: Finally, 65 patients were enrolled, including 30 in the observation group and 35 in the control group. There were no significant differences in baseline data including age, gender, acute kidney injury (AKI) stage and infection source between the two groups. The 7-day mortality of observation group was significantly lower than that of control group [16.7% (5/30) vs. 42.9% (15/35), P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality between the observation group and the control group [36.7% (11/30) vs. 54.3% (19/35), P > 0.05]. There were no significant differences in inflammation indicators, SOFA score, MAP, Lac and norepinephrine dosage before treatment between the two groups. After 24-hour and 48-hour treatment, the hemodynamics of the two groups were stable compared with before treatment, the inflammatory indicators, SOFA score, Lac and norepinephrine dosage were reduced to varying degrees, and MAP was significantly increased. In the observation group, hs-CRP, PCT, IL-6, SOFA score, MAP, and norepinephrine dosage showed statistical significance at 24 hours after treatment as compared with before treatment [hs-CRP (mg/L): 125.0 (105.0, 171.2) vs. 280.5 (213.2, 313.8), PCT (μg/L): 51.0 (20.0, 62.8) vs. 71.0 (10.8, 100.0), IL-6 (ng/L): 1 762.2 (300.8, 4 327.5) vs. 4 447.5 (630.4, 5 000.0), SOFA score: 13.0 (12.0, 14.0) vs. 16.0 (15.0, 17.0), MAP (mmHg, 1 mmHg ≈ 0.133 kPa): 79.00±12.87 vs. 65.20±11.70, norepinephrine dosage (μg×kg^-1×min^-1): 0.82±0.33 vs. 1.63±0.51, all P < 0.05]. In the control group, PCT and MAP showed statistical significance after 48 hours of treatment as compared with before treatment. Compared with the control group, hs-CRP, SOFA score and norepinephrine dosage after 48 hours of treatment in the observation group were significantly decreased [hs-CRP (mg/L): 87.2 (74.2, 126.0) vs. 157.0 (88.0, 200.0), SOFA score: 11.0 (10.0, 12.0) vs. 12.0 (10.0, 14.0), norepinephrine dosage (μg×kg^-1×min^-1): 0.51±0.37 vs. 0.81±0.58, all P < 0.05], MAP was significantly increased (mmHg: 82.00±8.71 vs. 77.77±7.80, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION In the treatment of CRRT, oXiris filter can reduce the short-term mortality of SA-AKI patients, lower inflammatory mediators levels and improve hemodynamics, showing therapeutic advantages over conventional filters.
Humans ; Acute Kidney Injury/etiology* ; Sepsis/therapy* ; Prospective Studies ; Interleukin-6 ; Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy/methods* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Hemodynamics ; Procalcitonin ; Aged

With the development of critical medical emergency technology, the success rate of sepsis treatment has been significantly improved, and the improvement of the long-term quality of life of sepsis survivors has also attracted more and more attention. ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) refers to a group of syndromes with systemic and symmetrical muscle weakness during the intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization and cannot be explained by the patient's own disease, which often involve diaphragm and skeletal muscle, resulting in difficulty in weaning and nosocomial infection. The incidence of ICU-AW in sepsis patients is over 50%, making it an important factor affecting the prognosis of these patients. The occurrence of sepsis ICU-AW is related to many factors, which can be summarized into two categories, including sepsis-related factors such as sepsis-associated inflammatory response, sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE), and treatment-related factors such as physical immobilization and insufficient nutritional support. The current ICU-AW risk assessment tools are mainly on subjective assessment scales, but there are some limitations in clinical application, and objective assessment tools including predictive model and imaging assessment, which are still in the research stage. "ABCDEF bundle strategy" is an important measure to prevent ICU-AW, in which early rehabilitation is the core element. This review of the literature from the risk factors, risk assessment and early rehabilitation of ICU-AW, and focuses on the timing, content, method and safety assessment of early rehabilitation, aims to improve the understanding of ICU-AW, strengthen the prevention of sepsis with ICU-AW, and improve the prognosis of sepsis patients, not only survive, but also live better.
Humans ; Sepsis/complications* ; Muscle Weakness/etiology* ; Intensive Care Units ; Prognosis ; Quality of Life

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of early lactate/albumin ratio (LAR) combined with quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) for the 28-day prognosis of patients with sepsis caused by emergency community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS: The clinical data of patients with sepsis caused by CAP admitted to the department of emergency of Beijing Haidian Hospital from June 2021 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including gender, age, comorbidities, lactic acid (Lac), serum albumin (Alb), LAR, procalcitonin (PCT) within 1 hour, and 28-day prognosis. Patients were divided into two groups based on 28-day prognosis, and risk factors affecting patients' prognosis were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression methods. Patients were divided into two groups according to the best cut-off value of LAR, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze the 28-day cumulative survival of patients in each group. Time-dependent receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) were plotted to analyze the predictive value of sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), and qSOFA+LAR score on the prognosis of patients with sepsis caused by CAP at 28 days. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated and compared. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients with sepsis caused by CAP were included, of whom 80 survived at 28 days and 36 died, 28-day mortality of 31.0%. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gender, comorbidities, pH, platelet count, and fibrinogen between the survival and death groups, and there were significantly differences in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), white blood cell count (WBC), hemoglobin, Lac, Alb, PCT, D-dimer, LAR, as well as qSOFA score, SOFA score, and APACHE II score. Univariate Cox regression analyses showed that BUN, WBC, pH, Lac, Alb, PCT, LAR, qSOFA score, SOFA score, and APACHE II score were associated with mortality outcome. Multifactorial Cox regression analysis of the above variables showed that BUN, WBC, PCT, and APACHE II score were independent risk factors for 28-day death in the emergency department in patients with sepsis caused by CAP [hazard ratio (HR) were 1.081, 0.892, 1.034, and 1.135, respectively, all P < 0.05]. The best cut-off value of early LAR for predicting the 28-day prognosis of sepsis patients was 0.088, the Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the 28-day cumulative survival rate of sepsis patients in the LAR ≤ 0.088 group was significantly higher than that in the LAR > 0.088 group [82.9% (63/76) vs. 42.5% (17/40), Log-Rank test: χ² = 22.51, P < 0.001]. The qSOFA+LAR score was calculated based on the LAR cut-off value and qSOFA score, and ROC curve analysis showed that the AUCs of SOFA score, APACHE II score, and qSOFA+LAR score for predicting 28-day death of patients with sepsis caued by CAP were 0.741, 0.774, and 0.709, respectively, with the AUC of qSOFA+LAR score slightly lower than those of SOFA score and APACHE II score, but there were no significantly differences. When the best cut-off value of qSOFA+LAR score was 1, the sensitivity was 63.9% and the specificity was 80.0%. CONCLUSION The qSOFA+LAR score has predictive value for the 28-day prognosis of patients with sepsis caused by CAP in the emergency department, its predictive value is comparable to the SOFA score and the APACHE II score, and it is more convenient for early use in the emergency department.
Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data* ; Sepsis/etiology* ; Prognosis ; Community-Acquired Pneumonia/mortality* ; Organ Dysfunction Scores ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Lactic Acid/blood* ; Serum Albumin, Human/analysis* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Hospital Mortality ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; APACHE ; Procalcitonin/blood* ; ROC Curve ; Area Under Curve ; Humans

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction syndrome caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Septic acute kidney injury (SAKI) is one of the most common complications of sepsis, and the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) indicates that the patient's condition is critical with a poor prognosis. The traditional view holds that the main mechanism of SAKI is the reduction of renal blood flow, inadequate renal perfusion, inflammatory response, and microcirculatory dysfunction caused by sepsis, which subsequently leads to ischemia and necrosis of renal tubular cells. Recent research findings indicate that processes such as autophagy and other forms of programmed cell death play an increasingly important role. Autophagy is a programmed intracellular degradation process and is a form of programmed cell death. Cells degrade their cytoplasmic components via lysosomes, breaking down and recycling intracellular constituents to meet their metabolic needs, maintain intracellular homeostasis, and renew organelles. During SAKI, autophagy plays a crucial protective role through various mechanisms, including regulating inflammation and immune responses, clearing damaged organelles, and maintaining stability in the intracellular environment. In recent years, the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis and treatment of SAKI has received widespread attention. Research has confirmed that various intracellular signaling pathways and signaling molecules targeting autophagy [such as mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and Sirtuins (SIRT), autophagy associated factor Beclin-1, and Toll-like receptor (TLR)] are involved in the development of SAKI. Due to the complex pathogenesis of SAKI, current treatment strategies include fluid management, infection control, maintenance of internal environment balance, and renal replacement therapy; however, the mortality remains high. In recent years, it has been found that autophagy plays a critical protective role in sepsis-mediated AKI. As a result, an increasing number of drugs are being developed to alleviate SAKI by regulating autophagy. This article reviews the latest advances in the role of autophagy in the pathogenesis and treatment of SAKI, with the aim of providing insights for the development of new drugs for SAKI patients.
Humans ; Acute Kidney Injury/etiology* ; Autophagy ; Sepsis/complications* ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVE: To explore the current status, evolution, hot topics, and future research trends in the field of burn-related sepsis research through a visual analysis of literature. METHODS: A bibliometric method was employed to retrieve articles related to burn-related sepsis from January 1, 1994, to May 16, 2024, in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and the Web of Science database. The CiteSpace 6.3.R1 software was used to analyze the retrieved literature. The number of publications, authors, countries, and institutions in both Chinese and English literature was statistically analyzed. Co-occurrence analysis, clustering analysis, and co-citation analysis of keywords were performed. RESULTS: A total of 1 090 articles from the CNKI database and 1 143 articles from the Web of Science database were retrieved. Over the past 20 years, the volume of Chinese publications has remained stable, although there has been a slight decline in the past two years. In contrast, the number of English publications, after a period of growth, showed a sharp decline over the past three years. In Chinese literature, 1 457 authors published articles on burn-related sepsis as first authors, with 14 core authors publishing four or more articles. In English literature, 98 authors published articles on burn-related sepsis as first authors. Research on burn-related sepsis was conducted by 76 countries, with the United States having the most collaborations and publications. Globally, 1 349 institutions published articles on burn-related sepsis, with the top institutions being the First Affiliated Hospital of the PLA General Hospital (8 articles) for Chinese literature and the University of Texas Medical Branch (57 articles) for English literature. In the co-occurrence analysis, 208 Chinese keywords and 211 English keywords were included. Excluding keywords related to search terms, the top five most frequent keywords in Chinese literature were burn, sepsis, infection, severe burn, and procalcitonin; the top five most frequent keywords in English literature were sepsis, septic shock, mortality, injury, and burn injury. Chinese keyword analysis identified six clusters, with the largest being sepsis, followed by procalcitonin, infection, and severe burn. English keyword analysis identified seven clusters, with the largest being expression, followed by epidemiology, inhalation injury, and acute kidney injury. The persistent clusters in Chinese literature were procalcitonin, with recent emerging nodes being severe burn, inflammatory response, platelets, and predictive value. In English literature, the persistent clusters were inhalation injury and nitric oxide, with recent emerging nodes being continuous renal replacement therapy, hemorrhagic shock, and early enteral nutrition. The longest-lasting emergent keyword in Chinese literature was delayed resuscitation (2003-2010), with the highest emergent strength being severe burn. In English literature, the longest-lasting emergent keywords, each lasting five years, were nitric oxide (2007-2012), management (2019-2024), and impact (2019-2024), with the highest emergent strength being thermal injury. CONCLUSIONS Research on burn-related sepsis has shifted from focusing on early studies on pathogenesis and mortality to focus on prevention, treatment, and early diagnosis. Future research is expected to focus on early diagnosis and risk factors of burn-related sepsis.
Burns/complications* ; Sepsis/etiology* ; Humans ; Bibliometrics ; China

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors influencing the development of refeeding syndrome (RFS) in patients with sepsis and its impact on clinical prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study method was used to collect the clinical data of patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Qingdao Municipal Hospital from December 2018 to December 2023. The patients were divided into RFS and non-RFS groups according to whether RFS occurred, and the basic data, nutritional status and assessment scale, laboratory indicators, nutritional intake, medical history and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Binary multifactorial Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the influencing factors of the occurrence of RFS in patients with sepsis. RESULTS: A total of 544 patients with sepsis were finally enrolled, of whom 250 did not develop RFS and 294 developed RFS, with an incidence of 54.0%. Compared with the non-RFS group, the patients in the RFS group had lower body mass index (BMI), albumin, prealbumin, baseline electrolytes (serum phosphorus, serum potassium, and serum magnesium), creatinine-height index, and protein intake, and had higher nutritional risk screening 2002 (NRS2002) score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, calorie intake, and the proportions of feedings during the 48 hours of ICU admission, history of diabetes and septic shock. Binary multifactorial Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI [odds ratio (OR) = 0.910, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.857-0.947, P < 0.001], SOFA score (OR = 1.166, 95%CI was 1.085-1.254, P < 0.001), albumin (OR = 0.946, 95%CI was 0.902-0.991, P = 0.019), baseline serum phosphorus (OR = 0.343, 95%CI was 0.171-0.689, P = 0.003), baseline serum potassium (OR = 0.531, 95%CI was 0.377-0.746, P < 0.001), creatinine-height index (OR = 0.891, 95%CI was 0.819-0.970, P = 0.008), caloric intake (OR = 1.108, 95%CI was 1.043-1.178, P = 0.001), protein intake (OR = 0.107, 95%CI was 0.044-0.260, P < 0.001), and feedings during the 48 hours of ICU admission (OR = 0.592, 95%CI was 0.359-0.977, P = 0.040) and septic shock (OR = 0.538, 95%CI was 0.300-0.963, P = 0.037) were independent influence factors on the occurrence of RFS in septic patients. Of the 544 patients, 267 died at 28 days, with a mortality of 49.1%. The 28-day mortality of patients in the RFS group was significantly higher than that in the non-RFS group [54.4% (160/294) vs. 42.8% (107/250); χ² = 7.302, P = 0.007]. 544 patients had a length of ICU stay of 20 (17, 24) days. The patients in the RFS group had a significantly longer length of ICU stay than that in the non-RFS group [days: 20 (17, 25) vs. 19 (17, 23); Z = -2.312, P = 0.021]. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of RFS in septic patients is high. Factors influencing the occurrence of RFS in septic patients include BMI, SOFA score, albumin, baseline serum phosphorus, baseline serum potassium, caloric intake, protein intake, feeding within 48 hours of ICU admission, and septic shock. RFS prolongs the length of ICU stay and increases the 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis/complications* ; Prognosis ; Refeeding Syndrome/etiology* ; Case-Control Studies ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Female ; Risk Factors ; Middle Aged ; Logistic Models ; Body Mass Index ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between serum sodium level and the risk of delirium in patients with sepsis. METHODS: Based on the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV), adult patients with sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU) were enrolled. The serum sodium level prior to the onset of sepsis during hospitalization was used as the exposure variable. Delirium was assessed using the ICU-confusion assessment method (ICU-CAM) as the primary outcome. Patients were divided into delirium and non-delirium groups based on the occurrence of delirium. The relationship between serum sodium level and delirium risk was described using restricted cubic spline (RCS) to determine the optimal reference range for serum sodium. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effect of blood sodium levels on delirium in sepsis patients. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore potential interactions and further validate the robustness of the results. Receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) analysis was performed to assess the predictive value of serum sodium level for delirium occurrence in patients with sepsis. RESULTS: A total of 13 889 patients with sepsis were included, of which 4 831 experienced delirium. The maximum and mean serum sodium values were significantly higher in the delirium group compared to the non-delirium group, while there were no statistically significant differences in terms of initial and minimum serum sodium values between the two groups. Compared with the non-delirium group, the delirium group had a higher mortality and longer hospital stay. The RCS curve showed that a "U"-shaped relationship between serum sodium level and delirium risk in patients with sepsis, with the optimal reference range for average serum sodium was 135.3-141.3 mmol/L. Group based on this reference range, compared to the group with 135.3 mmol/L ≤ serum sodium ≤ 141.3 mmol/L, the delirium incidence and mortality were significantly higher, and the hospital stay was longer in the groups with serum sodium < 135.3 mmol/L and serum sodium ≥ 141.3 mmol/L [delirium incidence: 36.92%, 40.88% vs. 31.22%; 28-day mortality: 23.08%, 20.15% vs. 13.39%; 90-day mortality: 30.75%, 24.81% vs. 18.26%; in-hospital mortality: 19.53%, 17.48% vs. 11.61%; ICU mortality: 14.35%, 14.05% vs. 9.00%; hospital length of stay (days): 10.1 (6.1, 17.7), 9.4 (5.4, 17.0) vs. 8.9 (5.5, 15.4), length of ICU stay (days): 3.7 (2.1, 7.1), 4.0 (2.1, 8.9) vs. 3.2 (1.9, 6.8); all P < 0.01]. Logistic regression analysis showed that, in the initial model and each factor-adjusted models, compared to the reference group with 135.3 mmol/L ≤ serum sodium < 141.3 mmol/L, serum sodium < 135.3 mmol/L increased the risk of delirium in septic patients by 21% to 29% [odds ratio (OR) was 1.21-1.29, all P < 0.01], while serum sodium ≥ 141.3 mmol/L increased the delirium risk by 28%-52% (OR was 1.28-1.52, all P < 0.01). Subgroup analyses based on gender, age, race, diuretic use, and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score revealed there was no significant interactions between subgroup variables and serum sodium, and the results supported that both serum sodium < 135.3 mmol/L and serum sodium ≥ 141.3 mmol/L were risk factors for delirium in septic patients. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for predicting delirium in septic patients based on serum sodium was 0.614, with a cut-off value of 139.5 mmol/L yielding a specificity of 67.5% and sensitivity of 50.9%. CONCLUSIONS The risk of delirium in patients with sepsis is associated with serum sodium level in a "U"-shaped manner. Both high and low serum sodium levels are associated with increased risk of delirium, higher all-cause mortality, and prolonged hospital stays in patients with sepsis. Abnormal serum sodium levels may have predictive value for sepsis-associated delirium and could serve as an early biomarker for identifying delirium in septic patients, although further validation is needed.
Humans ; Delirium/etiology* ; Sepsis/complications* ; Sodium/blood* ; Intensive Care Units ; Risk Factors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Aged ; Logistic Models ; Adult