Top ten research priorities for sepsis research: UK James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership (12 September 2024)

Summary

Sepsis Research FEAT and the James Lind Alliance have identified the top ten research priorities that will shape the future of sepsis treatment and care, with the goal of saving tens of thousands of lives each year.

Content

The Sepsis Priority Setting Partnership, which brought together over 1700 participants - including sepsis survivors, their families, carers and healthcare professionals - has delivered a guide for future research. 10 research questions highlight the next key areas which require funding and investigation to ensure meaningful progress in sepsis diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

The top ten questions for research are as follows:

1. How can the diagnosis of sepsis become faster, more accurate and reliable?

2. What are the long-term effects on the body from sepsis (sometimes called post-sepsis syndrome)? How are these long-term effects best treated and managed?

3. What is the role of treatments other than antibiotics in the care and management of sepsis?

4. Can diagnostic tests be developed for sepsis that can be used wherever the person is receiving care (e.g. in a GP surgery, hospital, ambulance or at home)?

5. Why and how do some people with sepsis become seriously ill very quickly?

6. Would specialist sepsis services improve outcomes for people with sepsis during hospital treatment and for follow-up care?

7. Are there ways to tailor treatment of sepsis to the individual (e.g. based on blood markers or other indicators)?

8. How does an infection lead to sepsis?

9. Would treatment before admission to hospital (e.g. provided by GPs or ambulance crews) improve outcomes for people with sepsis?

10. What are the safest and most effective ways to treat sepsis using antibiotics?