Survival after sepsis and septic shock has improved, but long-term consequences are often under-recognised and support services remain limited. Survivors frequently experience persistent physical, cognitive and psychological impairments that diminish quality of life and functional status. This study adapted the Mid-German Sepsis Cohort protocol for the Irish context to describe the one-year trajectory of health outcomes and sequelae among adults treated in critical care for sepsis.
The primary aim was to investigate long-term health outcomes and sequelae in people who survived critical care-treated sepsis or septic shock. This was a prospective longitudinal cohort study conducted across five acute hospitals. Data collection occurred between 10 June 2020 and 15 May 2023. The study followed STROBE reporting guidance.
Participants were adults who survived critical care admission for sepsis. In-hospital data collection comprised three stages: at sepsis onset, at critical care discharge and at hospital discharge. Follow-up assessments were conducted at 3, 6 and 12 months post-discharge. Planned patient/public involvement via a patient forum was not possible due to restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic; this was reported by the authors.
Follow-up surveys assessed multiple domains: quality of life, post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, fatigue, activities of daily living, cognitive complaints (for example, memory disturbance), medico-socioeconomic factors including employment, healthcare utilisation and other sepsis sequelae. Data analysis was primarily descriptive, with repeated measures ANOVA used to evaluate change over time using SPSS version 26.
Eighty-one survivors were included in the analysis, of whom 69.1% had experienced septic shock. Median age was 60 years and median hospital length of stay was 32 days. At 12 months post-discharge, employment levels remained below pre-sepsis status, indicating sustained socioeconomic impact.
Physical impairments were common among survivors. Fatigue emerged as a particularly frequent and persistent complaint. More than half of participants reported cognitive issues such as memory disturbance. Psychological symptoms—including anxiety, depression and sleep disorders—continued to be prevalent at one year. These multidimensional sequelae collectively contributed to reduced quality of life and functional limitations.
General Practitioners were the most frequently accessed source of post-sepsis support, illustrating the central role of primary care in ongoing management. The study documented healthcare utilisation patterns but presented results principally in descriptive terms. The authors highlighted gaps in structured post-discharge care pathways and the need for coordinated, multidisciplinary follow-up services.
The findings align with international evidence that sepsis survivors face high rates of long-term, multidimensional impairment. Persistent physical, cognitive and psychological symptoms up to one year after hospital discharge underscore the necessity for integrated survivorship care. Strengthening post-discharge pathways, improving access to multidisciplinary rehabilitation and clarifying roles for primary care and specialty services are implied priorities.
Strengths of the study include a prospective longitudinal design, systematic in-hospital data capture at defined stages, and repeated follow-up assessments at 3, 6 and 12 months. Reporting followed STROBE guidelines. Limitations reported in the source include the inability to complete planned patient/public forum involvement due to COVID-19 restrictions. The sample size (81 survivors) and descriptive analytic approach were reported; no additional limitations or subgroup details were provided in the source beyond what is summarised here.
Based on the observed one-year burden of sequelae, the authors recommend improving survivorship care through integrated, multidisciplinary support systems and strengthened post-discharge pathways. The study raises awareness among survivors, clinicians and policymakers about persistent deficits in physical, cognitive and psychological health after sepsis and the need for structured recovery services.