Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40632354›Full record

ArticleAging clinical and experimental research2025

The impact of body mass index on clinical outcomes in elderly sepsis patients: a retrospective study based on the MIMIC IV database.

Zhao-Kun Fan, Ru-Qin Yi, Wen Feng, Cheng-En Li, Wei Chen, Zhi-Rong Zhang, Ying-Ying Shen

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Aging clinical and experimental research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Zhao-Kun FanThe Second School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
Ru-Qin YiDepartment of Medical Record, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, 310006, China.
Wen FengDepartment of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, 310006, China.
Cheng-En LiDepartment of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, 310006, China.
Wei ChenDepartment of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, 310006, China.
Zhi-Rong ZhangDepartment of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, 310006, China.
Ying-Ying ShenDepartment of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou, 310006, China. syyruby860905@126.com.

Funding

Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation LTGD24H030003Zhejiang Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Science and Technology Program Grant Nos. 2024ZL381; 2025073974
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSepsis is a major health threat in the elderly, with high morbidity and mortality. Emerging evidence suggests an "obesity paradox," where higher body mass index (BMI) may improve survival. However, the association between BMI and outcomes in elderly sepsis patients remains unclear.

methodsUsing data from the MIMIC-IV v3.1 database (2008-2022), we conducted a retrospective cohort study of sepsis patients aged ≥ 60 years. After 1:1 propensity score matching based on demographics and severity scores, 9,602 patients (4,801 obese; 4,801 non-obese) were included. Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox regression, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were used to evaluate mortality at 28, 90, and 180 days. Secondary outcomes included hospital and ICU length of stay (LOS), and mechanical ventilation (MV) duration.

resultsObese patients had significantly lower mortality at 28 (HR = 0.83), 90 (HR = 0.79), and 180 days (HR = 0.76; all p < 0.001). RCS showed an L-shaped curve, with lowest mortality at BMI ≈ 36 kg/m². However, obesity was associated with longer hospital (p = 0.021), ICU stays (p = 0.0005), and MV duration (p = 0.0002). Subgroup analysis confirmed that overweight and moderately obese patients had the best survival, while underweight patients fared worst.

conclusionObesity is linked to improved survival in elderly sepsis patients, supporting the obesity paradox. Yet, it also entails greater healthcare utilization. Moderate obesity (BMI 30-35 kg/m²) appears most beneficial. Further studies are needed to clarify mechanisms and guide personalized sepsis care.

Indexed as

Body Mass IndexObesitySepsisAgedAged, 80 and overDatabases, FactualFemaleHumansIntensive Care UnitsKaplan-Meier EstimateLength of StayMaleMiddle AgedRespiration, ArtificialRetrospective StudiesBody mass index (BMI)Elderly sepsis patientsMortalityObesity paradox

Identifiers

PMID40632354
PMCPMC12241261

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.