Analysis of the clinical and epidemiological profile of patients with septic shock: an integrative review

Introduction: Sepsis can be defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. This deregulated response of the organism can evolve with circulatory, cellular and metabolic abnormalities that can potentially increase the risk of mortality, being called septic shock. Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with sepsis and septic shock. Methodology: To prepare the study, a bibliographic survey was carried out through research in the LILACS, Scielo and MEDLINE databases, using descriptors. Strings were made with the words using the Boolean operator (AND): sepsis AND septic shock AND diagnosis AND pathophysiology. In total, 26 scientific articles published between 2013 and 2023 were selected for this bibliographic review. Results and Discussion: In most of the selected studies, there was a delay in clinical diagnosis and only a small percentage of identification of severe cases was effective. Late diagnosis can contribute to an increase in the mortality rate. Regarding comorbidities, cardiological and metabolic stand out, being present in most cases and may contribute to a negative outcome. Conclusion: Despite the expressive production of knowledge about pathophysiology and treatment, sepsis still remains an entity of difficult clinical management. Early diagnosis - based on high clinical suspicion - and adequate treatment - including all the aspects mentioned - remain the best guarantee of good evolution for subjects victimized by sepsis.