High 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with sepsis and concomitant active cancer.

Objective: This study was performed to explore the characteristics and outcomes of patients with sepsis accompanied by active cancer who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods: The baseline characteristics, infection profiles, and outcomes of patients with sepsis were retrospectively analyzed according to the presence of concomitant active cancer. The association between concomitant active cancer and 28-day mortality was explored.

Results: Of 23,956 patients with sepsis, 1574 (6.6%) had concomitant active cancer. The most common type was digestive (30.7%). The 28-day mortality ranged from 41.9% to 81.5%. Patients with active cancer had a significantly higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II and significantly shorter length of ICU stay. Respiratory (32.9%), genitourinary (31.0%), and bloodstream (17.0%) infections were most common. Escherichia coli was the most frequent gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. The 28-day mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with than without active cancer. Concomitant active cancer was associated with increased 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis. Hematological malignancy was associated with a significantly higher risk of death than solid tumors.

Conclusions: Concomitant active cancer was associated with higher 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis requiring ICU admission. Hematological malignancy was associated with a higher risk of death than solid tumors.