OBJECTIVE

The primary objectives of this study were to compare the characteristics of older and younger patients with sepsis and to analyze risk factors associated with 28-day and 90-day mortality in critically ill patients. Our study aimed to explore whether there are significant differences between sepsis patients in different age groups and whether these differences are related to the association between disease severity and mortality.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center, retrospective study of 5783 critically ill patients over 18 years of age from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database diagnosed with sepsis and admitted to the intensive care unit between 2008 and 2012. We performed a retrospective analysis, selected the Critical Care Medicine Information Mart III database, and collected data on patients with sepsis. We then collated and analyzed these data to compare differences in characteristics between older and younger patients and identify associated risk factors, which can help understand patient mortality. This approach leverages existing clinical data and avoids new experiments or data collection. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to assess 28-day and 90-day mortality, and a Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the associated risk factors with 28-day and 90-day mortality.

RESULTS

Our study identified significant differences in mortality between older and younger patients with sepsis, finding that older patients had significantly higher mortality than younger patients. Furthermore, we successfully identified risk factors associated with mortality, results that have important implications for optimizing patient care and making clinical decisions. Of 5783 patients with sepsis, 2044 (35.3%) were younger than 60 years, and 3739 (64.7%) were aged 60 years or older. The 28-day mortality rate was 11.8% and 21.2% in the younger and older cohorts, respectively (P < .01). In the age-stratified analysis, the 28-day mortality was the highest in patients aged over 80 years (14.6% vs. 21.2% vs. 26.8%, P < .001). Factors associated with 28-day and 90-day mortality in patients with sepsis included age, weight, the need for mechanical ventilation, congestive heart failure, chronic pulmonary disease, malignancy, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score. Higher mortality in older patients with sepsis suggests the need for more aggressive treatment and monitoring. We also identified risk factors associated with mortality, helping to develop individualized treatment strategies. In addition, the different clinical characteristics of patients in different age groups emphasize the need for refined care pathways to meet their special needs. These results will help improve the treatment effect and quality of life of patients with sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study fills the knowledge gap on the manifestations of sepsis patients in different age groups and helps medical staff better predict and manage disease progression in these two groups and provide personalized treatment. This lays the foundation for future in-depth research on age-related sepsis factors and is expected to improve patient survival and recovery rates. Older patients with sepsis had higher mortality rates and adverse outcomes. The mortality rate in patients with sepsis gradually increased with age. The importance of these findings is that they can help guide patient care and clinical decision-making, particularly when dealing with older and younger patients with sepsis, to improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality. We would like to acknowledge that there are several limitations to the study, including the selectivity of the database and the retrospective nature, which preclude inference of causal relationships. In addition, some unconsidered variables may affect the results, and missing information in the data may also have an impact on the study. Future research could further explore these issues.This study highlights the critical role of age in sepsis patient outcomes and provides a strong basis for more sophisticated care and treatment. Our findings will help save more lives and improve patients' chances of recovery, which has profound implications for future research and clinical practice in the field of sepsis.