Fan Zhao-Kun, Yi Ru-Qin, Feng Wen, Li Cheng-En, Chen Wei, Zhang Zhi-Rong, Shen Ying-Ying
The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
Department of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, 310006, China.
Aging Clin Exp Res. 2025 Jul 9;37(1):211. doi: 10.1007/s40520-025-03115-3.
Sepsis is a major health threat in the elderly, with high morbidity and mortality. Emerging evidence suggests an "obesity paradox," where higher body mass index (BMI) may improve survival. However, the association between BMI and outcomes in elderly sepsis patients remains unclear.
Using data from the MIMIC-IV v3.1 database (2008-2022), we conducted a retrospective cohort study of sepsis patients aged ≥ 60 years. After 1:1 propensity score matching based on demographics and severity scores, 9,602 patients (4,801 obese; 4,801 non-obese) were included. Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox regression, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were used to evaluate mortality at 28, 90, and 180 days. Secondary outcomes included hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS), and mechanical ventilation (MV) duration.
Obese patients had significantly lower mortality at 28 (HR = 0.83), 90 (HR = 0.79), and 180 days (HR = 0.76; all p < 0.001). RCS showed an L-shaped curve, with lowest mortality at BMI ≈ 36 kg/m². However, obesity was associated with longer hospital (p = 0.021), ICU stays (p = 0.0005), and MV duration (p = 0.0002). Subgroup analysis confirmed that overweight and moderately obese patients had the best survival, while underweight patients fared worst.
Obesity is linked to improved survival in elderly sepsis patients, supporting the obesity paradox. Yet, it also entails greater healthcare utilization. Moderate obesity (BMI 30-35 kg/m²) appears most beneficial. Further studies are needed to clarify mechanisms and guide personalized sepsis care.
脓毒症是老年人面临的重大健康威胁,发病率和死亡率都很高。新出现的证据表明存在“肥胖悖论”,即较高的体重指数(BMI)可能会提高生存率。然而,BMI与老年脓毒症患者预后之间的关联仍不明确。
利用多中心重症医学信息数据库(MIMIC-IV)v3.1数据库(2008 - 2022年)的数据,我们对年龄≥60岁的脓毒症患者进行了一项回顾性队列研究。在根据人口统计学和严重程度评分进行1:1倾向评分匹配后,纳入了9602例患者(4801例肥胖患者;4801例非肥胖患者)。采用Kaplan-Meier曲线、Cox回归和限制性立方样条(RCS)分析来评估28天、90天和180天的时候的死亡率。次要结局包括住院时间和重症监护病房(ICU)住院时间以及机械通气(MV)持续时间。
肥胖患者在28天(风险比[HR]=0.83)、90天(HR=0.79)和180天(HR=0.76;所有p<0.001)时的死亡率显著较低。RCS显示为L形曲线,BMI约为36kg/m²时死亡率最低。然而,肥胖与更长的住院时间(p=0.021)、ICU住院时间(p=0.0005)和MV持续时间(p=0.0002)相关。亚组分析证实,超重和中度肥胖患者的生存率最佳,而体重过轻的患者预后最差。
肥胖与老年脓毒症患者生存率的提高有关,支持肥胖悖论。然而,它也需要更多的医疗资源利用。中度肥胖(BMI 30 - 35kg/m²)似乎最有益。需要进一步研究来阐明其机制并指导个性化的脓毒症治疗。