Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of sepsis in a multidisciplinary infectious diseases hospital in Saint Petersburg

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is a generalized inflammatory response to infection of various origins, accompanied by multiple organ dysfunction, hemodynamic disturbances, and hemostatic disorders. Because of the high rate of severe complications, both early etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy and timely diagnosis are crucial.

AIM: To analyze the current clinical and epidemiological characteristics of sepsis using data from a multidisciplinary medical facility.

METHODS: A cohort study of epidemiological and clinical data on sepsis cases recorded at the S.P. Botkin Clinical Infectious Diseases Hospital from 2019 to 2024 was conducted. Medical records of patients hospitalized with sepsis from January to June 2025 were also reviewed.

RESULTS: From 2019 to 2024, 356 sepsis cases were recorded. The highest mortality rates occurred in 2022 and 2023: 32.4% and 41.7%, respectively. The most common etiologies were unspecified sepsis, staphylococcal sepsis, and sepsis due to gram-negative organisms. Mortality was highest in meningococcal and streptococcal septicemia and gram-negative sepsis. At onset, flu-like symptoms and intestinal dysfunction were noted, followed by systemic inflammatory response syndrome, multiple organ failure, coagulation disturbances, and cardiovascular complications. The mean age was 50.5 ± 15.5 years. Risk factors included extensive comorbidities, trauma, surgery, drug addiction, alcoholism, and low social status.

CONCLUSION: The rising incidence of septic complications, predominance of working-age patients with increased comorbidity, flu-like symptoms, and signs of acute intestinal infection at onset should raise awareness among physicians of all specialties for the timely detection of systemic inflammation and initiation of adequate treatment.