Physical, psychological, and cognitive changes among sepsis survivors after ICU discharge: a systematic review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2025.89187

Keywords:

Intensive Care Units, Sepsis, Cognitive Dysfunction, Estresse Psicológico, Muscle Strength

Abstract

Objective: to synthesize the evidence on the physical, psychological, and cognitive changes presented by patients discharged from the ICU after an episode of sepsis. Method: this is a systematic review, guided by the question: “What are the physical, cognitive, and psychological changes presented by patients discharged from the ICU after an episode of sepsis?”. Searches were conducted in The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, LILACS, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, including studies published since the Consensus of the American College of Chest Physicians and the Society of Critical Care Medicine - 1991. Results: a total of 5,799 studies were identified, of which 18 met the eligibility criteria and were qualitatively analyzed. Conclusion: sepsis survivors may present varying degrees of impairment in the three areas analyzed. There may additionally be an overlap of physical, psychological, and cognitive changes in survivors, which may compromise their ability to live independently and with quality.

Author Biographies

Jéssica Cristina Caretta Teixeira, Faculdade Dr. Francisco Maeda

Nurse. Master’s Degree of Science. Professor at the Faculty Dr. Francisco Maeda. Ituverava, SP, Brazil.

João Vitor Cestari Lima, Universidade de São Paulo

Student in the Undergraduate Nursing Course at the Universidade de São Paulo. Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

Angelita Maria Stabile, Universidade de São Paulo

Nurse. PhD in Physiological Sciences. Professor at the Graduate Program in Fundamental Nursing at the Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing at the Universidade de São Paulo. Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

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Published

2025-12-17

How to Cite

1.
Teixeira JCC, Lima JVC, Stabile AM. Physical, psychological, and cognitive changes among sepsis survivors after ICU discharge: a systematic review. Rev. enferm. UERJ [Internet]. 2025 Dec. 17 [cited 2026 May 16];33(1):e89187. Available from: https://www.e-publicacoes.uerj.br/enfermagemuerj/article/view/89187

Issue

Section

Review Articles