Post sepsis syndrome: an ignored enemy

Introduction: post sepsis syndrome is an emerging entity, underrecognized in clinical practice and scarcely described in the literature. It is characterized by physical, cognitive, and psychological sequelae that affect the majority of survivors, with a negative impact on their quality of life and a significant increase in morbidity and mortality and healthcare costs. The objective of this review is to synthesize recent knowledge and evidence available regarding post sepsis syndrome.Method: a narrative review of articles published between 2000 and 2023 in PubMed, Sciencedirect, and LILACS was conducted. The MeSH terms "Sepsis," "Post ICU syndrome," and "Post sepsis syndrome" were used. A total of 221 articles were identified; 84 met inclusion criteria and were analyzed to describe the clinical and pathophysiological manifestations and impact of post sepsis syndrome.Development: the available evidence shows that sepsis survivors present persistent impairment in physical, cognitive, and psychological domains. The syndrome is associated with prolonged immune dysfunction, frequent rehospitalizations, decreased functional autonomy, and increased cardiovascular and neuropsychiatric risk. High mortality rates up to five years after the event and high socioeconomic costs have also been documented. No standardized follow-up protocols or uniform rehabilitation strategies were identified in the reviewed literature.Conclusions: post sepsis syndrome is an underestimated and underdiagnosed problem that represents a clinical and public health challenge. Large-scale studies are needed to define its true epidemiological burden and guide the implementation of multidisciplinary follow-up and rehabilitation programs to reduce its impact on patient survival and quality of life.