New research priorities identified to combat sepsis

Nazir Lone, Professor of Critical Care and Epidemiology at the Usher Institute, is co-lead for the project alongside clinical colleagues from University of Cambridge, Queen’s University Belfast, Sepsis Research (FEAT) and the James Lind Alliance.

In a paper published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, the project has announced ten research priorities for tackling sepsis, a life-threatening condition responsible for around 50,000 deaths annually in the UK. This landmark initiative aims to revolutionise sepsis diagnosis, treatment and recovery. The priorities were identified through collaboration with over 1700 sepsis survivors, healthcare professionals and families.

We have worked closely with people who have survived sepsis, their family members, and front-line NHS clinicians to identify the priorities for future sepsis research. These priorities highlight the issues around this potentially fatal condition and will encourage more research, now that we have a clear direction for sepsis research.

Nazir Lone

The top ten priorities address critical questions, including how to improve the accuracy and speed of diagnosis, explore alternatives to antibiotics and investigate the long-term effects of sepsis, often referred to as post-sepsis syndrome.

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?

These priorities will guide future research, focusing on critical areas such as faster diagnosis, alternatives to antibiotics, and the long-term effects of sepsis, helping improve outcomes and save lives.

Cite as

McPeake, J., Bradley, K. et al. Top ten research priorities for sepsis research: UK James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(24)00298-4

Further information

Read The Lancet Respiratory Medicine paper

Read the Sepsis Research (FEAT) news item

Find out more about the James Lind Alliance