Incidence, Outcomes, and Risk Factors for Mortality in Patients With Sepsis in South Korea: Insights From a Nationwide Cohort Study and Related Evidence

Highlights

• Nationwide data reveal a significant increase in sepsis incidence in South Korea from 2011 to 2022, with crude incidence rate rising from 141.8 to 337.3 per 100,000 person-years.
• In-hospital mortality rates declined substantially over the same period, decreasing from 27.0% to 17.0%, despite an absolute increase in total deaths due to rising case volume.
• Older age, male sex, higher comorbidity burden, and greater disease severity are consistent independent risk factors for mortality; socioeconomic disparities persist, with higher mortality among medical aid beneficiaries and rural residents.
• Complementary studies highlight the impact of sepsis on long-term outcomes, importance of early antibiotic administration, and burden of resistant infections, informing comprehensive management strategies.

Background