A prospective study to analyze the clinical, biochemical and hematological parameters of dengue fever in Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Warangal, Telangana, India

Abstract

Background: Dengue is the most common mosquito borne endemo-epidemic arboviral infection in many of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Dengue virus (DEN) is a small single-stranded RNA virus comprising of four distinct serotypes (DEN-1 to -4). Dengue virus infections were grouped into three categories: undifferentiated fever, dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF). This study was done to analyze the clinical, biochemical and hematological parameters of dengue fever.Methods: 100 patients admitted to AMC / IMC / WARDS of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital Warangal, Telangana, India during the period November 2012 - October 2013, presenting with acute febrile illness who are IgM seropositive for dengue and satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients belonging to the age group of above 12 years, belonging to both sexes were selected and included in the study group.Results: A total of 100 patients admitted to our hospital with fever and IgM dengue positive were studied. Out of 100 patients, 81 (81%) patients were diagnosed to have DF. 10 (10%) patients were diagnosed to have dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and 9 (9%) patients were diagnosed to have dengue shock syndrome (DSS) based on WHO criteria. The present study included 53 (53%) male patients and 47 (47%) female patients. Male to female ratio is 1.13:1.Conclusions: In our study classical dengue fever was the most common clinical presentation followed by complicated forms such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. On investigation deranged liver function tests, renal function tests, ascites, hepatospleenomegaly on ultrasonography and pleural effusion on chest radiography are more commonly seen in patients with DHF and DSS. Platelet count does not correlate with the severity of the disease.