Risk and outcome of Sepsis Associated Encephalopathy after Acute Gastrointestinal Perforation

Sepsis associated encephalopathy (SAE) is the most common encephalopathy in ICU and may contribute to a high mortality. Few data are available on the risk and outcome of SAE after patients with gastrointestinal (GI) perforation. We reviewed all patients admitted to our department of general surgery with GI perforation over a 3-year period. We used the sepsis-related organ failure criteria for diagnosis of SAE (GCS<13 score in absence of sedation). Exclusion criteria were present evidence of meningitis/ encephalitis and other primary encephalopathy. Of 58 patients admitted for GI perforation during the study period, 22 patients (37.9%) developed sepsis. Of them, 9 (40.9%) patients (7 male, mean 79y) had SAE according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria.