Septic shock without documented infection: an uncommon entity with a high mortality

Intensive Care Med. 1999 Nov;25(11):1267-70. doi: 10.1007/s001340051055.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether patients with clinically identified infection have the same outcome as patients with apparent sepsis but no identified infectious source.

Design: Retrospective analysis of patient data.

Patients: All patients treated with septic shock in a 31-bed intensive care unit (ICU) over a 3-year period.

Results: Data from 227 patients were analysed. Eighty-seven percent had a clinically identified source of infection. ICU mortality was higher in septic shock patients without a clinically identified source of infection than in those with an identified source of infection (86% versus 66%, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: A small number of patients presenting with septic shock have no clinically identified infection. These patients have a higher mortality rate than patients in whom an infection is identified.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteremia / etiology*
  • Bacteremia / mortality*
  • Belgium / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Organ Failure / etiology
  • Multiple Organ Failure / mortality
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Shock, Septic / etiology*
  • Shock, Septic / mortality*