Pattern of comorbidities in patients with communityacquired sepsis admitted to medical wards at a tertiary hospital in Gauteng province, South Africa

Abstract

Summary Objective. Community-acquired sepsis remains a significant public health issue in developing countries, often presenting in patients with pre-existing comorbidities. The scarcity of data concerning the prevalence of common comorbidities in sepsis patients within our setting is notable. Thus, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive exploration of the comorbidity pattern in sepsis patients. Methods. The study utilized secondary data from a prospective observational study, entailing the review of medical records of patients who were admitted with community-acquired sepsis to the Medical Wards at a tertiary hospital in South Africa, spanning from August 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. Results. There were 169 hospitalized patients with a diagnosis of community-acquired sepsis. Their mean age was 43.4±16.5 years (ranged: 18 to 91). Half (52.7%) were under 40 years old and 63.3% were men. The average hospital stay was 10.5 ± 7.2 days. Approximately 16.6% of the patients required transfer to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and there was a 15.4% mortality rate. More than two-thirds 86.4% (n=146) of cases had comorbidities; the most prevalent were immunosuppression, acute kidney injury, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. Women were significantly more prone to hypertension and diabetes mellitus than men, whereas men had a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with Hepatitis C compared to women. Conclusion. Community-acquired sepsis is common in our environment and is associated with high mortality rates, underscoring the vital importance of preventive healthcare and early intervention to enhance sepsis management and increase patient survival rates.