Mortality among adult patients with sepsis and septic shock in Korea: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate mortality from sepsis and septic shock in Korea during the past 10 years, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched six databases for studies on mortality from sepsis and septic shock in adult patients. Primary outcomes were 28- or 30-day mortality and in-hospital mortality from sepsis and septic shock. To assess the risk of bias, we used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Risk of Bias 2 tools. The protocol is registered in PROSPERO (No. CRD42022365739). RESULTS: A total of 61 studies were included. The mortality rates from sepsis and septic shock at 28 or 30 days were 22.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.0%–25.6%; I(2)=89%) and 27.6% (95% CI, 22.3%–33.5%; I(2)=98%), respectively, according to the Sepsis-3 criteria. Furthermore, in accordance with the Sepsis-3 criteria, the in-hospital mortality rates were 28.1% (95% CI, 25.2%–31.1%; I(2)=87%) and 34.3% (95% CI, 27.2%–42.2%; I(2)=97%), respectively. CONCLUSION: The mortality rates from sepsis and septic shock in Korea are high. In the case of septic shock, the in-hospital mortality rate is approximately 30%.