ABSTRACT
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of clinical presentations, haematological and biochemical abnormalities, and outcome of dengue fever patients admitted in Combined Military Hospital [CMH] Rawalpindi in year 2015
Study Design: A descriptive cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, CMH Rawalpindi, from January 2015 to December 2015
Material and Methods: Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were admitted at CMH Rawalpindi and blood serology was done to confirm the diagnosis of dengue fever. Cases with positive dengue serology were included in the study. Clinical symptoms, signs, investigations and outcome of these patients were recorded on a pro forma. Blood samples were taken for analysis. Chest X-Ray and ultrasound abdomen were done on required basis
Results: Out of forty confirmed cases of dengue fever, there were 25 [62.5%] males and 15 [37.5%] females. Mean age was 40 years. There were 39 cases [97.5%] of dengue fever and one case [2.5%] of dengue shock syndrome. There was no case of dengue haemorrhagic syndrome. Maximum cases were seen in the month of October 2015. The clinical features noted were: headache and myalgias 62.5%, chills and rigors 57.5%, retro-orbital pain 42.5%, vomiting 35.0%, pruritus 27%, skin rash 20%, abdominal pain 20%, diarrhoea 10%, bleeding 2.5%, ascites and pleural effusion 2.5%, and hepatomegaly 15%. The laboratory findings were: leucopenia 85% and thrombocytopenia 92.5%. Serum alanine transaminase [ALT], urea, and creatinine were raised in 30%, 2.5% and 7.5% cases respectively. Mortality was 2.5%
Conclusion: This study showed that patients admitted to CMH hospital had a milder presentation of dengue fever in the year 2015