The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and the course of sepsis in the patients treated in our ward. Retrospective evaluation was conducted on a group of 7418 patients hospitalized in 2001-2005. Serious sepsis was found in 15 patients (0.2%). Analysis was conducted on two groups of patients: diabetic (group A) and non-diabetic (group B). The majority of patients had community-acquired infection (93.3%). Critical course of sepsis was observed in 53.3% of patients. Mortality was higher in group A (83.3%) compared to B (33.3%). In group A other, pre-existing diseases were more frequent. The most frequent focus of infection was urinary tract, followed by respiratory system. In group A the focus of infection was in 33.3% each urinary tract, respiratory tract and diabetic foot. Only in 66.7% of patients pathogens were cultured from body fluid. Multiple pathogens were more frequent in group B. Co-existing fungal infections were more frequent in group A (16.6%) than in B (11.1%). The empirical therapy was ineffective in 75% of diabetic and 50% of non-diabetic patients.
Conclusions: 1) In severe sepsis mortality is high, and in diabetic patients it amounts to 80%. 2) In > 30% patients bacteriological tests did not confirm the type of pathogen. 3) In diabetic patients fungal infections were more frequent. 4) Critical course of sepsis may result from co-existing morbidity.