Work

Sepsis: advances in diagnosis, management, and long-term outcomes—a narrative review

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Sepsis is a complex and highly heterogeneous syndrome that resulted in approximately 11 million deaths worldwide in 2017 due to multiple organ failure, posing a serious threat to human life and health. With the advancement of medical technology, the definition of sepsis has undergone several evolutions, currently referred to as Sepsis-3.0, emphasizing the life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. The mortality pattern of sepsis has shifted from a biphasic to a triphasic model, with the latter exhibiting a third peak of mortality occurring within 60–90 days, influenced by factors such as immunosenescence, comorbidities, and persistent inflammation. Despite ongoing progress in medical research and clinical practice, sepsis remains a significant challenge to global health. Therefore, strengthening prevention, diagnosis, and management strategies for sepsis is crucial to reduce its high mortality rate and improve patient outcomes. The review narratively summarizes the latest evidence on the diagnosis, treatments, and sequelae of sepsis from existing high-quality literature, aiming to provide references and assistance for research and clinical application related to sepsis.

Source: European journal of medical research

DOI: 10.1186/s40001-026-04854-3

Authors: GuangYan Yan, YaTing Wang, Qiongya Wang, Min Liu, Shangwen Pan