Cognitive Health and Quality of Life After Surviving Sepsis: A Narrative Review.

Abstract

Purpose of the research: Sepsis is a leading cause of disease and affects approximately a third of ICU patients worldwide. Despite the rising number of sepsis survivors, the burden of cognitive and quality of life related post-sepsis morbidities remains understudied. This narrative review aimed to summarize and discuss current research investigating the quality of life and the burden of cognitive, mental, and functional health morbidities in sepsis survivors at different stages of life.

Major findings: Sepsis survivors of all ages were affected by cognitive dysfunction, with very preterm neonatal sepsis survivors reporting higher odds of neurodevelopmental disabilities, childhood sepsis survivors reporting delayed development, and adult sepsis survivors reporting cognitive decline, including a higher risk of dementia. Mental health concerns were reported in both survivors and family members, with limited mixed evidence for post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, suicide, and anxiety. Survivor functional status is frequently impacted in diverse ways, with both physical and mental changes often inhibiting daily life. Lastly, the impact of sepsis on survivor quality of life is mixed. While sepsis survivors frequently report poorer quality of life compared to the general population, studies have reported no difference in quality of life when comparing sepsis survivors with other critical illness survivors.

Conclusions: Sepsis impacts the quality of life and cognitive, mental, and functional health in numerous diverse ways across the lifespan. Future research should focus on sepsis survivorship in children, and the mental health burden of sepsis across all age groups.