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, Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center
19 December 2011
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).
International Journal of Health Geographics
Geographic variations in sepsis
11 May 2010
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
19 December 2011
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).