Sepsis Update: Definition and Epidemiology

Abstract

Sepsis is a common disease in intensive care units worldwide, which is associated with relevant morbidity and mortality. Although massive research efforts have been made for decades, there is no specific therapy for sepsis to date. Decisive in the treatment of sepsis is the early diagnosis, because the outcome of the treated patients can be significantly improved by early elimination of the infection focus, the fastest possible administration of a broad, calculated antibiosis as well as the stabilization of the hemodynamic situation. A definition of the clinical picture of sepsis with high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity is therefore indispensable. This article describes the previously and the currently available definition of sepsis and gives an overview of the epidemiology of this disease.