Incidence, Risk Factors and Outcomes of Sepsis in Post-Craniotomy Critical Ill Patients

Abstract

Background: Data about the epidemiology of sepsis in post-craniotomy critical ill patients are scarce. This study aims to assess the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of sepsis in this population.Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018, in the intensive care unit (ICU) of Beijing Tiantan Hospital. Patients admitted to ICU after intracranial operations and meeting the inclusion criteria were screened daily for the presence of infection and sepsis. We also collected demographics, primary diagnosis, chronic comorbidities, information about surgery, infection, and patients’ outcomes. Results: Of the 900 included patients, 509 (56.6%) were with infection, and 300 developed sepsis. The cumulative incidence of sepsis was 33.3% [95% CI, 30.2%-36.4%]. Male sex, older in age, supratentorial surgery, the sellar region tumors, postoperative hydrocephalus, higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, and lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were independent risk factors of sepsis. Sepsis was associated with a higher hospital mortality rate (13.7% vs. 8.3%, p =0.012), lower Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge (3 vs. 4, p<0.001), longer ICU length of stay (LOS) (14 vs. 4 days, p<0.001), longer hospital LOS (31 vs. 19 days, p<0.001), and higher total medical costs (RMB 138,394 vs 75,918 Yuan, p<0.001). Conclusions: Sepsis is a frequent complication in post-craniotomy critical ill patients, and is associated with increased hospital mortality rate, increased hospital costs, prolonged ICU LOS, and hospital LOS.Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT03803813