Main and emerging predictors of mortality in septic patients in Intensive Care Units: critical synthesis of evidence in the last five years

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55892/jrg.v9i20.3322

Keywords:

Sepsis, Mortality, Prognosis, Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the main predictors of mortality in patients with sepsis admitted to intensive care units, comparing clinical scores and biomarkers. Data sources: An integrative literature review conducted between 2020 and 2025 in the PubMed and LILACS databases, including studies with adult patients with sepsis or septic shock in ICUs. Twenty articles were selected after applying the eligibility criteria. Data synthesis: Traditional prognostic scores, such as SOFA, APACHE II/III, and SAPS II, showed better performance in predicting mortality. Biomarkers such as lactate, lactate/albumin ratio, presepsin, SCUBE-1, RDW, and interleukin-6 showed a significant association with death, but with moderate accuracy when used in isolation. The combination of biomarkers and clinical scores increased predictive capacity. Clinical factors, such as multiple organ dysfunction and the need for intensive support, as well as organizational aspects of ICUs, also impacted outcomes. Conclusion: Mortality in sepsis is multifactorial, and the integrated assessment of clinical and laboratory data is the best strategy for risk stratification and clinical decision-making.

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Published

2026-05-13

How to Cite

FONSECA, M. E. F. da; VIEIRA, J. A. S.; DÓRIA, M. P. A. A.; BISNETA, D. A. S.; FIGUEIREDO, M. B. G. de A. Main and emerging predictors of mortality in septic patients in Intensive Care Units: critical synthesis of evidence in the last five years. JRG Journal of Academic Studies, Brasil, São Paulo, v. 9, n. 20, p. e093322, 2026. DOI: 10.55892/jrg.v9i20.3322. Disponível em: https://mail.revistajrg.com/index.php/jrg/article/view/3322. Acesso em: 13 may. 2026.

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