A study published in JAMA (2010) examined the long-term cognitive and functional impairments in survivors of severe sepsis. The research, based on data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), found that survivors of severe sepsis had a significantly higher prevalence of moderate to severe cognitive impairment compared to those who had non-sepsis hospitalizations. The study followed 1,520 hospitalizations for severe sepsis in 1,194 patients, with 516 survivors who had at least one follow-up survey. These survivors showed a 10.6 percentage point increase in moderate to severe cognitive impairment, with an odds ratio of 3.33. Similarly, survivors experienced a high rate of new functional limitations, with an average of 1.57 new limitations among those with no prior limitations and 1.50 among those with mild to moderate limitations before sepsis. In contrast, non-sepsis hospitalizations were associated with no significant change in cognitive impairment and smaller changes in functional limitations. The study also found that the cognitive and physical declines persisted for up to 8 years after sepsis. The results suggest that severe sepsis is independently associated with substantial and persistent new cognitive impairment and functional disability among survivors, which can significantly impact their ability to live independently. The study highlights the need for improved hospital and rehabilitation care to prevent these disabilities, as they may result in a pivotal downturn in patients' quality of life. The findings underscore the importance of addressing the long-term consequences of severe sepsis, particularly in older adults, and the potential public health burden associated with it.A study published in JAMA (2010) examined the long-term cognitive and functional impairments in survivors of severe sepsis. The research, based on data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), found that survivors of severe sepsis had a significantly higher prevalence of moderate to severe cognitive impairment compared to those who had non-sepsis hospitalizations. The study followed 1,520 hospitalizations for severe sepsis in 1,194 patients, with 516 survivors who had at least one follow-up survey. These survivors showed a 10.6 percentage point increase in moderate to severe cognitive impairment, with an odds ratio of 3.33. Similarly, survivors experienced a high rate of new functional limitations, with an average of 1.57 new limitations among those with no prior limitations and 1.50 among those with mild to moderate limitations before sepsis. In contrast, non-sepsis hospitalizations were associated with no significant change in cognitive impairment and smaller changes in functional limitations. The study also found that the cognitive and physical declines persisted for up to 8 years after sepsis. The results suggest that severe sepsis is independently associated with substantial and persistent new cognitive impairment and functional disability among survivors, which can significantly impact their ability to live independently. The study highlights the need for improved hospital and rehabilitation care to prevent these disabilities, as they may result in a pivotal downturn in patients' quality of life. The findings underscore the importance of addressing the long-term consequences of severe sepsis, particularly in older adults, and the potential public health burden associated with it.