Sepsis and septic shock in geriatrics
Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that poses diagnostic challenges, particularly in the older population. Clinical manifestations of sepsis in these individuals can be blurred and atypical, making detection and diagnosis difficult. Common symptoms such as fever may be absent; conve...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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PAGEPress Publications
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Geriatric Care |
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| Online Access: | https://www.pagepressjournals.org/gc/article/view/11709 |
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| author | Aurora Vitali Simone Dini Mariagiovanna Cozza Vincenzo Gianturco Mattia Brunori Liliana Mazza |
| author_facet | Aurora Vitali Simone Dini Mariagiovanna Cozza Vincenzo Gianturco Mattia Brunori Liliana Mazza |
| author_sort | Aurora Vitali |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that poses diagnostic challenges, particularly in the older population. Clinical manifestations of sepsis in these individuals can be blurred and atypical, making detection and diagnosis difficult. Common symptoms such as fever may be absent; conversely, older patients may present with atypical signs such as delirium, altered mental status, falls, weakness, and urinary incontinence. This can lead to delayed diagnosis, which increases the risk of rapid progression to septic shock. To improve diagnostic accuracy, various laboratory biomarkers and clinical scores have been developed, such as the Sequential (Sepsis-related) Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA-score), quick SOFA (qSOFA), and geriatric-qSOFA. These tools aid in identifying sepsis and predicting mortality risk promptly. In terms of treatment, early intervention is crucial. Maintaining adequate tissue perfusion (“fluid resuscitation”), appropriate antibiotic therapy, and eventually vasopressor support are key components of sepsis management in older adults. Additionally, in frail and comorbid patients, priority must be given to supportive care aimed at enhancing quality of life. Tailored therapeutic interventions are crucial to improving outcomes in this vulnerable population.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-121a690bb32d46f28699075e6c442f4c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2465-1109 2465-1397 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | PAGEPress Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geriatric Care |
| spelling | doaj-art-121a690bb32d46f28699075e6c442f4c2025-08-20T02:06:58ZengPAGEPress PublicationsGeriatric Care2465-11092465-13972024-11-0110110.4081/gc.2024.11709Sepsis and septic shock in geriatricsAurora Vitali0Simone Dini1Mariagiovanna Cozza2Vincenzo Gianturco3Mattia Brunori4Liliana Mazza5Department of Medical Sciences, University of FerraraGeriatrics Unit, Department of Geriatric Care, Orthogeriatrics and Rehabilitation, E.O. Ospedali Galliera, GenoaUOC Intermediate Care/Budrio Long-Term Care, Integration Department, AUSL BolognaTor Vergata University, Coniugi Bernardini’s Hospital, Palestrina, RomeDepartment of Medical Sciences, University of FerraraUnit of Geriatrics, Department of Integration, Maggiore Hospital, AUSL Bologna Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition that poses diagnostic challenges, particularly in the older population. Clinical manifestations of sepsis in these individuals can be blurred and atypical, making detection and diagnosis difficult. Common symptoms such as fever may be absent; conversely, older patients may present with atypical signs such as delirium, altered mental status, falls, weakness, and urinary incontinence. This can lead to delayed diagnosis, which increases the risk of rapid progression to septic shock. To improve diagnostic accuracy, various laboratory biomarkers and clinical scores have been developed, such as the Sequential (Sepsis-related) Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA-score), quick SOFA (qSOFA), and geriatric-qSOFA. These tools aid in identifying sepsis and predicting mortality risk promptly. In terms of treatment, early intervention is crucial. Maintaining adequate tissue perfusion (“fluid resuscitation”), appropriate antibiotic therapy, and eventually vasopressor support are key components of sepsis management in older adults. Additionally, in frail and comorbid patients, priority must be given to supportive care aimed at enhancing quality of life. Tailored therapeutic interventions are crucial to improving outcomes in this vulnerable population. https://www.pagepressjournals.org/gc/article/view/11709Sepsisfrailtyantibioticseptic shock |
| spellingShingle | Aurora Vitali Simone Dini Mariagiovanna Cozza Vincenzo Gianturco Mattia Brunori Liliana Mazza Sepsis and septic shock in geriatrics Geriatric Care Sepsis frailty antibiotic septic shock |
| title | Sepsis and septic shock in geriatrics |
| title_full | Sepsis and septic shock in geriatrics |
| title_fullStr | Sepsis and septic shock in geriatrics |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sepsis and septic shock in geriatrics |
| title_short | Sepsis and septic shock in geriatrics |
| title_sort | sepsis and septic shock in geriatrics |
| topic | Sepsis frailty antibiotic septic shock |
| url | https://www.pagepressjournals.org/gc/article/view/11709 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT auroravitali sepsisandsepticshockingeriatrics AT simonedini sepsisandsepticshockingeriatrics AT mariagiovannacozza sepsisandsepticshockingeriatrics AT vincenzogianturco sepsisandsepticshockingeriatrics AT mattiabrunori sepsisandsepticshockingeriatrics AT lilianamazza sepsisandsepticshockingeriatrics |