The Assessment of Social Determinants of Health in Postsepsis Mortality and Readmission: A Scoping Review

OBJECTIVE: To summarize knowledge and identify gaps in evidence about the relationship between social determinants of health (SDH) and postsepsis outcomes. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed/Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Excerpta Medica database, and the Cochrane Library. STUDY SELECTION: We identified articles that evaluated SDH as risk factors for mortality or readmission after sepsis hospitalization. Two authors independently screened and selected articles for inclusion. DATA EXTRACTION: We dual-extracted study characteristics with specific focus on measurement, reporting, and interpretation of SDH variables. DATA SYNTHESIS: Of 2,077 articles screened, 103 articles assessed risk factors for postsepsis mortality or readmission. Of these, 28 (27%) included at least one SDH variable. Inclusion of SDH in studies assessing postsepsis adverse outcomes increased over time. The most common SDH evaluated was race/ethnicity (n = 21, 75%), followed by payer type (n = 10, 36%), and income/wealth (n = 9, 32%). Of the studies including race/ethnicity, nine (32%) evaluated no other SDH. Only one study including race/ethnicity discussed the use of this variable as a surrogate for social disadvantage, and none specifically discussed structural racism. None of the studies specifically addressed methods to validate the accuracy of SDH or handling of missing data. Eight (29%) studies included a general statement that missing data were infrequent. Several studies reported independent associations between SDH and outcomes after sepsis discharge; however, these findings were mixed across studies. CONCLUSIONS: Our review suggests that SDH data are underutilized and of uncertain quality in studies evaluating postsepsis adverse events. Transparent and explicit ontogenesis and data models for SDH data are urgently needed to support research and clinical applications with specific attention to advancing our understanding of the role racism and racial health inequities in postsepsis outcomes.