

FOLLOWUS
Department of Critical Care Medicine and Hematology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
Department of Critical Care Medicine and Hematology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
Department of Intensive Medicine, Kailuan General Hospital, Tangshan 063000, Hebei, China
National Clinical Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
CSU-Sinocare Research Center for Nutrition and Metabolic Health, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University; Furong Laboratory, Changsha 410011, China
Hunan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Sepsis, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
Key Laboratory of Sepsis Translational Medicine of Hunan, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 77, Sweden
Department of Cardiology, Kailuan General Hospital, Tangshan 063000, Hebei, China
Jia-Qi Huang, JIAQI.HUANG@CSU.EDU.CN
*Ben Lu, XYBENLU@CSU.EDU.CN;
Received:23 October 2025,
Accepted:03 April 2026,
Published:2026-04
Scan QR Code
Liu SY, Xu SK, Gao JL, Kong XK, Shi J, Miao Y, et al. Metabolic syndrome and risk of sepsis and sepsis-related mortality: evidence from two large prospective cohort studies. Mil Med Res. 2026;13(1):100031.
Liu SY, Xu SK, Gao JL, Kong XK, Shi J, Miao Y, et al. Metabolic syndrome and risk of sepsis and sepsis-related mortality: evidence from two large prospective cohort studies. Mil Med Res. 2026;13(1):100031. DOI: 10.1016/j.mmr.2026.100031.
Background:
2
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation and immune dysregulation
which may increase susceptibility to sepsis. However
epidemiologic evidence remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the association of MetS with the risk of sepsis and sepsis-related mortality.
Methods:
2
This study included 359
633 participants from the UK Biobank and 152
317 participants from the Kailuan Study. MetS was defined as the presence of ≥3 metabolic abnormalities. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (
HRs
) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of MetS with risk of sepsis and 28-day mortality following sepsis. Stratified analyses were conducted to assess potential effect modification. In the UK Biobank
we further evaluated the dose-response relationship between the number of MetS components and sepsis outcomes
explored potential mediation by inflammatory and immune biomarkers
and investigated the joint effect of MetS and lifestyle; in the Kailuan Study
we further investigated the impact of MetS evolution on sepsis risk. Sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the results.
Results:
2
During a median follow-up of 13.7 years
11
040 sepsis cases were identified in the UK Biobank
whereas 5672 cases were documented in the Kailuan Study during a median follow-up of 16.4 years. After multivariable adjustment
MetS was associated with higher risks of sepsis (
HR
=1.55
95% CI 1.49–1.61) and 28-day mortality following sepsis (
HR
=1.51
95% CI 1.37–1.65) in the UK Biobank; corresponding
HRs
were 1.32 (95% CI 1.25–1.40) and 1.49 (95% CI 1.32–1.69) in the Kailuan Study
respectively (all
P
<
0.001). These associations were generally consistent across stratified analyses. Moreover
the risk of sepsis outcomes increased with the number of MetS components and was partly mediated by inflammation. Compared with individuals free of MetS
individuals with MetS and an unfavorable lifestyle had substantially higher risks of sepsis (
HR
=1.9
1
95% CI 1.81–2.00) and 28-day mortality following sepsis (
HR
=1.84
95% CI 1.64–2.07)
whereas those with MetS but a favorable lifestyle showed only a modestly increased risk of sepsis and no excess risk of 28-day mortality (
HR
=1.18
95% CI 1.09–1.28 and
HR
=1.05
95% CI 0.88–1.27
respectively). In analyses of MetS evolution
using individuals with persistently normal metabolic status as the reference
those with a persistent MetS demonstrated the highest risks of sepsis (
HR
=1.46
95% CI 1.32–1.61) and 28-day mortality following sepsis (
HR
=1.88
95% CI 1.50–2.35)
followed by individuals with progressive MetS (
HR
=1.17
95% CI 1.05–1.31 and
HR
=1.36
95% CI 1.04–1.77
respectively)
whereas those who recovered from MetS did not show a significantly increased risk (
HR
=1.09
95% CI 0.96–1.25 and
HR
=1.19
95% CI 0.87–1.61
respectively). Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the findings.
Conclusions:
2
This study demonstrated that MetS was associated with an increased risk of sepsis and sepsis-related mortality. These associations were partially mediated through inflammatory responses. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining metabolic health as well as promoting healthy lifestyles as strategies to reduce its burden.
Singer M , Deutschman CS , Seymour CW , Shankar-Hari M , Annane D , Bauer M , et al . The Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3) . JAMA . 2016 ; 315 ( 8 ): 801 - 10 .
Rudd KE , Johnson SC , Agesa KM , Shackelford KA , Tsoi D , Kievlan DR , et al . Global, regional, and national sepsis incidence and mortality, 1990-2017: analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study . Lancet . 2020 ; 395 ( 10219 ): 200 - 11 .
Martin-Loeches I , Singer M , Leone M . Sepsis: key insights, future directions, and immediate goals. a review and expert opinion . Intensive Care Med . 2024 ; 50 ( 12 ): 2043 - 9 .
Neeland IJ , Lim S , Tchernof A , Gastaldelli A , Rangaswami J , Ndumele CE , et al . Metabolic syndrome . Nat Rev Dis Primers . 2024 ; 10 ( 1 ): 77 .
Hotamisligil GS . Inflammation and metabolic disorders . Nature . 2006 ; 444 ( 7121 ): 860 - 7 .
Franceschi C , Garagnani P , Parini P , Giuliani C , Santoro A . Inflammaging: a new immune-metabolic viewpoint for age-related diseases . Nat Rev Endocrinol . 2018 ; 14 ( 10 ): 576 - 90 .
Moore JX , Chaudhary N , Akinyemiju T . Metabolic syndrome prevalence by race/ethnicity and sex in the United States, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–2012 . Prev Chronic Dis . 2017 ; 14 : E24 .
Abohashem S , Hassan I , Wasfy JH , Taub PR . Trends and prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among US adults . JAMA . 2026 ; 335 ( 3 ): 274 - 7 .
Chen TI , Chen MH , Yin SC , Lin CJ , Lam TK , Huang CW , et al . Associations between metabolic syndrome and cholangiocarcinoma risk: a large-scale population-based cohort study . Hepatology . 2026 ; 83 ( 2 ): 261 - 75 .
Qureshi D , Luben R , Hayat S , Talarico R , Allen NE , Kuzma E , et al . Role of age and exposure duration in the association between metabolic syndrome and risk of incident dementia: a prospective cohort study . Lancet Healthy Longev . 2024 ; 5 ( 12 ): 100652 .
Marott JL , Ingebrigtsen TS , Colak Y , Kankaanranta H , Bakke PS , Vestbo J , et al . Impact of the metabolic syndrome on cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality in individuals with lung function impairment: a prospective cohort study of the Danish general population . Lancet Reg Health Eur . 2023 ; 35 : 100759 .
Le P , Tatar M , Rothberg MB , Wilson LA , Allende D , Diehl AM , et al . Association of components of metabolic syndrome and the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease . Am J Gastroenterol . 2026 ; 121 ( 1 ): 159 - 70 .
Nyberg ST , Frank P , Ahmadi-Abhari S , Pentti J , Vahtera J , Ervasti J , et al . Adult obesity and risk of severe infections: a multicohort study with global burden estimates . Lancet . 2026 ; 407 ( 10532 ): 951 - 62 .
Balintescu A , Lind M , Franko MA , Oldner A , Cronhjort M , Svensson AM , et al . Glycemic control and risk of sepsis and subsequent mortality in type 2 diabetes . Diabetes care . 2022 ; 45 ( 1 ): 127 - 33 .
Hamilton F , Pedersen KM , Ghazal P , Nordestgaard BG , Smith GD . Low levels of small HDL particles predict but do not influence risk of sepsis . Crit Care . 2023 ; 27 ( 1 ): 389 .
Denson JL , Gillet AS , Zu Y , Brown M , Pham T , Yoshida Y , et al . Metabolic syndrome and acute respiratory distress syndrome in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 . JAMA Netw Open . 2021 ; 4 ( 12 ): e2140568 .
Tea K , Zu Y , Chung CH , Pagliaro J , Espinoza-Barrera D , Mehta P , et al . The relationship between metabolic syndrome and mortality among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network and Prevention and Early Treatment of Acute Lung Injury Network trials . Crit Care Med . 2024 ; 52 ( 3 ): 407 - 19 .
Norris P , Gow J , Arthur T , Conway A , Fleming FJ , Ralph N . Metabolic syndrome and surgical complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 million individuals . Int J Surg . 2024 ; 110 ( 1 ): 541 - 53 .
Sudlow C , Gallacher J , Allen N , Beral V , Burton P , Danesh J , et al . UK Biobank: an open access resource for identifying the causes of a wide range of complex diseases of middle and old age . PLoS Med . 2015 ; 12 ( 3 ): e1001779 .
Wu S , An S , Li W , Lichtenstein AH , Gao J , Kris-Etherton PM , et al . Association of trajectory of cardiovascular health score and incident cardiovascular disease . JAMA Netw Open . 2019 ; 2 ( 5 ): e194758 .
Zheng M , Zhang X , Chen S , Song Y , Zhao Q , Gao X , et al . Arterial stiffness preceding diabetes: a longitudinal study . Circ Res . 2020 ; 127 ( 12 ): 1491 - 8 .
Alberti KG , Eckel RH , Grundy SM , Zimmet PZ , Cleeman JI , Donato KA , et al . Harmonizing the metabolic syndrome: a joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American Heart Association; World Heart Federation; International Atherosclerosis Society; and International Association for the Study of Obesity . Circulation . 2009 ; 120 ( 16 ): 1640 - 5 .
Qureshi D , Collister J , Allen NE , Kuzma E , Littlejohns T . Association between metabolic syndrome and risk of incident dementia in UK Biobank . Alzheimers Dement . 2024 ; 20 ( 1 ): 447 - 58 .
Wang Y , Chen Z , Huo Z , Qin H , Fu P , Wu K , et al . Metabolic syndrome evolution and cardio-kidney-metabolic multimorbidity: implications for targeted prevention . JACC Adv . 2025 ; 4 ( 6 Pt 2 ): 101778 .
American Diabetes Association . Standards of medical care in diabetes–2010 . Diabetes Care . 2010 ; 33 Suppl 1( Suppl 1 ): S11 - 61 .
Qureshi D , Topiwala A , Al Abid SU , Allen NE , Kuźma E , Littlejohns TJ . Association of metabolic syndrome with neuroimaging and cognitive outcomes in the UK Biobank . Diabetes Care . 2024 ; 47 ( 8 ): 1415 - 23 .
Zhang YB , Chen C , Pan XF , Guo J , Li Y , Franco OH , et al . Associations of healthy lifestyle and socioeconomic status with mortality and incident cardiovascular disease: two prospective cohort studies . BMJ . 2021 ; 373 : n604 .
Trinder M , Wang Y , Madsen CM , Ponomarev T , Bohunek L , Daisely BA , et al . Inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein preserves high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and improves survival in sepsis . Circulation . 2021 ; 143 ( 9 ): 921 - 34 .
Rhee C , Dantes R , Epstein L , Murphy DJ , Seymour CW , Iwashyna TJ , et al . Incidence and trends of sepsis in US hospitals using clinical vs claims data, 2009–2014 . JAMA . 2017 ; 318 ( 13 ): 1241 - 9 .
Weng L , Xu Y , Yin P , Wang Y , Chen Y , Liu W , et al . National incidence and mortality of hospitalized sepsis in China . Crit Care . 2023 ; 27 ( 1 ): 84 .
Mellhammar L , Wollter E , Dahlberg J , Donovan B , Olseen CJ , Wiking PO , et al . Estimating sepsis incidence using administrative data and clinical medical record review . JAMA Netw Open . 2023 ; 6 ( 8 ): e2331168 .
NHS . The risks of drinking too much . 24 Oct 2022 . Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/the-risks-of-drinking-too-much/ https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-advice/the-risks-of-drinking-too-much/ . Accessed 24 Mar 2026 .
Mozaffarian D . Dietary and policy priorities for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity: a comprehensive review . Circulation . 2016 ; 133 ( 2 ): 187 - 225 .
Lourida I , Hannon E , Littlejohns TJ , Langa KM , Hyppönen E , Kuzma E , et al . Association of lifestyle and genetic risk with incidence of dementia . JAMA . 2019 ; 322 ( 5 ): 430 - 7 .
Marsland AL , McCaffery JM , Muldoon MF , Manuck SB . Systemic inflammation and the metabolic syndrome among middle-aged community volunteers . Metabolism . 2010 ; 59 ( 12 ): 1801 - 8 .
Dallmeier D , Larson MG , Vasan RS , Jr Keaney JF , Fontes JD , Meigs JB , et al . Metabolic syndrome and inflammatory biomarkers: a community-based cross-sectional study at the Framingham Heart Study . Diabetol Metab Syndr . 2012 ; 4 ( 1 ): 28 .
Aguirre GA , De Ita JR , de la Garza RG , Castilla-Cortazar I . Insulin-like growth factor-1 deficiency and metabolic syndrome . J Transl Med . 2016 ; 14 : 3 .
Meyer NJ , Prescott HC . Sepsis and septic shock . N Engl J Med . 2024 ; 391 ( 22 ): 2133 - 46 .
Benjamin DJ , Berger JO , Johannesson M , Nosek BA , Wagenmakers EJ , Berk R , et al . Redefine statistical significance . Nat Hum Behav . 2018 ; 2 ( 1 ): 6 - 10 .
Cen M , Song L , Fu X , Gao X , Zuo Q , Wu J . Associations between metabolic syndrome and anxiety, and the mediating role of inflammation: findings from the UK Biobank . Brain Behav Immun . 2024 ; 116 : 1 - 9 .
Li M , Cao SM , Dimou N , Wu L , Li JB , Yang J . Association of metabolic syndrome with risk of lung cancer: a population-based prospective cohort study . Chest . 2024 ; 165 ( 1 ): 213 - 23 .
Cao Z , Zheng X , Yang H , Li S , Xu F , Yang X , et al . Association of obesity status and metabolic syndrome with site-specific cancers: a population-based cohort study . Br J Cancer . 2020 ; 123 ( 8 ): 1336 - 44 .
Jeon WH , Seon JY , Park SY , Oh IH . Association of metabolic syndrome with COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea . Diabetes Metab J . 2022 ; 46 ( 3 ): 427 - 38 .
Wang HE , Griffin R , Judd S , Shapiro NI , Safford MM . Obesity and risk of sepsis: a population-based cohort study . Obesity (Silver Spring) . 2013 ; 21 ( 12 ): E762 - E9 .
Schuetz P , Castro P , Shapiro NI . Diabetes and sepsis: preclinical findings and clinical relevance . Diabetes care . 2011 ; 34 ( 3 ): 771 - 8 .
Ahlberg CD , Wallam S , Tirba LA , Itumba SN , Gorman L , Galiatsatos P . Linking sepsis with chronic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and socioeconomic factors in the United States: a scoping review . J Crit Care . 2023 ; 77 : 154324 .
Gurunathan U , Rapchuk IL , Dickfos M , Larsen P , Forbes A , Martin C , et al . Association of obesity with septic complications after major abdominal surgery: a secondary analysis of the RELIEF randomized clinical trial . JAMA Netw Open . 2019 ; 2 ( 11 ): e1916345 .
Xiao M , Deng H , Mao W , Liu Y , Yang Q , Liu Y , et al . U-shaped association between serum triglyceride levels and mortality among septic patients: an analysis based on the MIMIC-IV database . PLoS One . 2023 ; 18 ( 11 ): e0294779 .
Ren QW , Teng TK , Ouwerkerk W , Tse YK , Tsang CTW , Wu MZ , et al . Triglyceride levels and its association with all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes among patients with heart failure . Nat Commun . 2025 ; 16 ( 1 ): 1408 .
Stattin K , Eriksson M , Frithiof R , Kawati R , Hultström M , Lipcsey M . Physical activity is associated with a lower risk of contracting and dying in infection and sepsis: a Swedish population-based cohort study . Crit Care . 2024 ; 28 ( 1 ): 98 .
Zou M , Lu D , Luo Z , Huang N , Wang W , Zhuang Z , et al . Association of healthy sleep patterns with incident sepsis: a large population-based prospective cohort study . Crit Care . 2025 ; 29 ( 1 ): 51 .
Lee EH , Lee KH , Lee KN , Park Y , Do Han K , Han SH . The relation between cigarette smoking and development of sepsis: a 10-year follow-up study of four million adults from the national health screening program . J Epidemiol Glob Health . 2024 ; 14 ( 2 ): 444 - 52 .
Chastin SFM , Abaraogu U , Bourgois JG , Dall PM , Darnborough J , Duncan E , et al . Effects of regular physical activity on the immune system, vaccination and risk of community-acquired infectious disease in the general population: systematic review and meta-analysis . Sports Med . 2021 ; 51 ( 8 ): 1673 - 86 .
Gualano RC , Hansen MJ , Vlahos R , Jones JE , Park-Jones RA , Deliyannis G , et al . Cigarette smoke worsens lung inflammation and impairs resolution of influenza infection in mice . Respir Res . 2008 ; 9 ( 1 ): 53 .
McAlpine CS , Kiss MG , Zuraikat FM , Cheek D , Schiroli G , Amatullah H , et al . Sleep exerts lasting effects on hematopoietic stem cell function and diversity . J Exp Med . 2022 ; 219 ( 11 ): e20220081 .
Gutiérrez OM , Judd SE , Voeks JH , Carson AP , Safford MM , Shikany JM , et al . Diet patterns and risk of sepsis in community-dwelling adults: a cohort study . BMC Infect Dis . 2015 ; 15 : 231 .
Catrysse L , van Loo G . Inflammation and the metabolic syndrome: the tissue-specific functions of NF-kappaB . Trends Cell Biol . 2017 ; 27 ( 6 ): 417 - 29 .
Mathis D , Shoelson SE . Immunometabolism: an emerging frontier . Nat Rev Immunol . 2011 ; 11 ( 2 ): 81 .
Schleh MW , Caslin HL , Garcia JN , Mashayekhi M , Srivastava G , Bradley AB , et al . Metaflammation in obesity and its therapeutic targeting . Sci Transl Med . 2023 ; 15 ( 723 ): eadf9382 .
Cajander S , Kox M , Scicluna BP , Weigand MA , Mora RA , Flohe SB , et al . Profiling the dysregulated immune response in sepsis: overcoming challenges to achieve the goal of precision medicine . Lancet Respir Med . 2024 ; 12 ( 4 ): 305 - 22 .
Lumeng CN , Bodzin JL , Saltiel AR . Obesity induces a phenotypic switch in adipose tissue macrophage polarization . J Clin Invest . 2007 ; 117 ( 1 ): 175 - 84 .
Thomas D , Apovian C . Macrophage functions in lean and obese adipose tissue . Metabolism . 2017 ; 72 : 120 - 43 .
Jacks RD , Lumeng CN . Macrophage and T cell networks in adipose tissue . Nat Rev Endocrinol . 2024 ; 20 ( 1 ): 50 - 61 .
Hotamisligil GS . Endoplasmic reticulum stress and the inflammatory basis of metabolic disease . Cell . 2010 ; 140 ( 6 ): 900 - 17 .
Hummasti S , Hotamisligil GS . Endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in obesity and diabetes . Circ Res . 2010 ; 107 ( 5 ): 579 - 91 .
Le Roy T , Moens de Hase E , Van Hul M , Paquot A , Pelicaen R , Regnier M , et al . Dysosmobacter welbionis is a newly isolated human commensal bacterium preventing diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorders in mice . Gut . 2022 ; 71 ( 3 ): 534 - 43 .
Karlsson FH , Tremaroli V , Nookaew I , Bergstrom G , Behre CJ , Fagerberg B , et al . Gut metagenome in European women with normal, impaired and diabetic glucose control . Nature . 2013 ; 498 ( 7452 ): 99 - 103 .
Kwan SY , Sabotta CM , Joon A , Wei P , Petty LE , Below JE , et al . Gut microbiome alterations associated with diabetes in Mexican Americans in South Texas . mSystems . 2022 ; 7 ( 3 ): e0003322 .
Gomes JMG , Costa JA , Alfenas RCG . Metabolic endotoxemia and diabetes mellitus: a systematic review . Metabolism . 2017 ; 68 : 133 - 44 .
Harte AL , Varma MC , Tripathi G , McGee KC , Al-Daghri NM , Al-Attas OS , et al . High fat intake leads to acute postprandial exposure to circulating endotoxin in type 2 diabetic subjects . Diabetes Care . 2012 ; 35 ( 2 ): 375 - 82 .
Poltorak A , He X , Smirnova I , Liu MY , Van Huffel C , Du X , et al . Defective LPS signaling in C3H/HeJ and C57BL/10ScCr mice: mutations in Tlr4 gene . Science . 1998 ; 282 ( 5396 ): 2085 - 8 .
Yang IV , Alper S , Lackford B , Rutledge H , Warg LA , Burch LH , et al . Novel regulators of the systemic response to lipopolysaccharide . Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol . 2011 ; 45 ( 2 ): 393 - 402 .
Wang Y , Zhang H , Miao C . Unraveling immunosenescence in sepsis: from cellular mechanisms to therapeutics . Cell Death Dis . 2025 ; 16 ( 1 ): 393 .
Fulop T , Larbi A , Pawelec G , Khalil A , Cohen AA , Hirokawa K , et al . Immunology of aging: the birth of inflammaging . Clin Rev Allergy Immunol . 2023 ; 64 ( 2 ): 109 - 22 .
Delano MJ , Ward PA . The immune system's role in sepsis progression, resolution, and long-term outcome . Immunol Rev . 2016 ; 274 ( 1 ): 330 - 53 .
Montaser E , Shah VN . Prediction of incident diabetic retinopathy in adults with type 1 diabetes using machine learning approach: an exploratory study . J Diabetes Sci Technol . 2024 : 19322968241292369 .
Montaser E , Farhy LS , Rich SS . Enhancing type 1 diabetes immunological risk prediction with continuous glucose monitoring and genetic profiling . Diabetes Technol Ther . 2025 ; 27 ( 4 ): 292 - 300 .
0
Views
0
Downloads
0
CSCD
Publicity Resources
Related Articles
Related Author
Related Institution
京公网安备11010802024621