Current Trends in Sepsis-Related Mortality in the United States*

OBJECTIVES: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. The burden of sepsis-related mortality in the United States in recent years is not well characterized. We sought to describe sepsis-related mortality rates and mortality trends in the United States from 2005 to 2018. DESIGN: Retrospective population-based study. SETTING: We used the Multiple Cause of Death Database available through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. PATIENTS: Decedents with sepsis-related deaths were identified using previously validated International Classification of Diseases codes. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: From 2005 to 2018, 6.7% of decedents had a diagnosis of sepsis. The overall sepsis-related mortality rates remained stable in both males (57 deaths per 100,000) and females (45.1 deaths per 100,000) during this period. Compared with Whites, the sepsis-related mortality rates were higher in Blacks (rate ratio = 1.78), Native Americans (rate ratio = 1.43), and Hispanics (rate ratio = 1.04) and were lower in Asians (rate ratio = 0.73). Sepsis-related mortality rates declined in Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians but increased in Whites and Native Americans. The majority of sepsis-related deaths occurred in the hospital. The percentage of deaths in the nursing home decreased, whereas deaths occurring at home and hospice increased. CONCLUSIONS: From 2005 to 2018, the overall sepsis-related mortality rates were stable, but there were significant racial and gender disparities in mortality trends. Further research is needed to evaluate the genetic and environmental contributors to these differences.

Automated summary

From 2005 to 2018, the overall sepsis-related mortality rates in the United States remained stable, but there were significant racial and gender disparities in mortality trends. Further research is needed to evaluate the genetic and environmental contributors to these differences.