Research
National variation in United States sepsis mortality: a descriptive study
- † Equal contributors
International Journal of Health Geographics 2010, 9:9 doi:10.1186/1476-072X-9-9
Geographic variations in sepsis
Greg Martin (2010-05-11 14:57) Emory University
The finding that sepsis mortality varies significantly across the U.S. is important and likely explains part of the healthcare disparities observed with this condition. A previous study using similar methodology reported similar findings regarding geographic variation, but also included analysis of incident cases and linked geographic and seasonal variations in sepsis incidence: see Danai P, et al. Critical Care Medicine 2007; 35: 410–415.
Competing interests
None
Vitamin D explains some of the findings
William B. Grant (2011-12-19 11:27) Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center
The epidemiology of sepsis in the United States led to an ecological study finding a role for solar UVB and vitamin D. Characteristics included in that study were racial disparities, seasonality, comorbid diseases, and geographical location.
Grant WB. Solar ultraviolet-B irradiance and vitamin D may reduce the risk of septicemia Dermato-Endocrinology. 2009;1(1):37-42.
(the title should have used sepsis).
Vitamin D also reduces the risk of respiratory diseases such as influenza and pneumonia, in part through induction of cathelicidin, in part through shifting cytokine production away from pro-inflammatory ones.
The high rates of sepsis in the southeast corresponds to the region of highest deaths from lung cancer. Respiratory infections comprise the majority of sepsis-attributed deaths, suggesting that smoking and diet may contribute to risk of sepsis.
Competing interests
I receive or have received funding from the UV Foundation (McLean, VA), Bio-Tech-Pharmacal (Fayetteville, AR), and the Vitamin D Council (San Luis Obispo, CA).
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