2023-11-23 07:37:41
Sepsis: A Silent Killer in Belgium
Sepsis, a life-threatening condition caused by the body’s extreme response to an infection, has become a major concern in Belgium. According to recent data, a shocking 7,485 people died from sepsis in 2020, surpassing the number of traffic accident fatalities by 15 times and even exceeding the number of deaths from cancer, which stood at 27,209.
Some experts believe that sepsis is more prevalent in Belgium compared to other Western European countries. “If you compare those figures, you will find that the figures for sepsis in our country are higher than the Western European average,” says De Waele. “This applies to both the prevention of sepsis and the number of deaths from sepsis.”
However, the lack of proper data collection on sepsis-related deaths makes it challenging to fully understand the scale of the issue. There is no comprehensive system in place to register sepsis cases in hospitals. As a result, the exact number of sepsis-related deaths is unknown. “Unfortunately, it is a waste of money when it comes to sepsis figures,” says De Waele. “As far as I know, there is no registration or anything that could pass for that.”
The consequences of sepsis can be devastating for those who survive. Many patients suffer from long-term effects, including the loss of limbs or organs. “People lose their hands or feet, their nose or their ears. That of course has a huge impact on the quality of life,” says Erika Vlieghe. The road to recovery is often long and arduous, with some individuals never fully regaining their former health and becoming prone to depression.
Moreover, the lack of awareness about sepsis among the general public adds to the challenges. Many people have never heard of sepsis and are unaware of its symptoms. To address this, experts are calling for a public awareness campaign akin to the one conducted in the United Kingdom, which prompted people to ask themselves, “Could it be sepsis?”
In light of these developments, there is a growing call for improved data collection and a more targeted approach to tackle sepsis in Belgium. The implementation of a “sepsis register” similar to that in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Sweden is being proposed to provide a clearer understanding of the situation and aid in devising effective strategies to combat this silent killer.]
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