OUTCOME OF PATIENTS WITH ABDOMINAL SEPSIS TREATED IN AN INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT

A group of 125 patients with abdominal sepsis admitted to the intensiv e therapy unit between January 1990 and June 1993 were reviewed to det ermine outcome. Mean(s.d.) age was 66(12) years and admission Acute Ph ysiology And Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score 23(9). The ho spital mortality rate was 63 per cent. Factors associated with mortali ty included age, APACHE II score, occurrence of septic shock, chronic ill health, female sex, sepsis of upper gastrointestinal origin and fa ilure to clear the source of sepsis (all P < 0.05). Delay to surgery, anastomotic leakage and presence of malignancy did not influence survi val significantly. Quality of life (measured by the World Health Organ ization performance score) at 15 months after discharge showed 24 of 3 2 survivors to be independent, ambulatory and capable of self care. No patient survived to become completely disabled. The factors associate d with survival did not predict subsequent quality of life. Accurately defining the characteristics of this heterogeneous group of patients is a prerequisite for improved treatment, patient selection and resear ch.