Long-term Cognitive Impairment and Functional Disability Among Survivors of Severe Sepsis

Abstract

Cognitive impairment and physical disability are major health burdens and drivers of health care costs. The onset of disability is associated with worsened mortality¹ and substantial increases in medical costs over subsequent years,² including a disproportionate strain on Medicaid and Medicare. Both cognitive and physical disability impose yet further burdens on families and informal caregivers.³ Irreversible cognitive and physical impairment following acute illnesses are particularly feared outcomes and weigh heavily on patient decision making.⁴