Is the clinicopathological profile of dengue syndrome changing?: a 6 year study of different epidemics at a tertiary care center in India

ABSTRACT

Background: As an arthropod-borne viral disease, dengue epidemics has created much public health hazards in tropical countries. In the national capital of India, there has been more than six epidemics. Dengue remains a notifiable disease in India. It is important that we understand the changing clinicopathological profile of this viral infection to prepare ourselves better for any impending future epidemic. This study done at a tertiary care center looks into the recent epidemics to understand the changing trends in the disease profile in two phases of three years each. Further, authors also assessed the utility of the tourniquet test in dengue syndrome.Methods: 260 serologically confirmed patients were recruited in two phases of the study. We evaluated them for clinical, epidemiological and pathological profile of dengue and trends in haematological, biochemical and radiological parameters during the course of the disease and its correlation with the severity of the disease.Results: Fever, headache, body ache, pharyngeal and conjunctival congestion, rhinitis, rash and diarrhea incidences were similar in both epidemics. Lymphadenopathy was seen in 18(18%) patients compared to 40(25%) in the second epidemic. More number of hemorrhagic manifestations with GI and retinal bleed was seen compared to earlier epidemics, which had higher liver involvement.Conclusions: Although the presentation of the disease has not shown a drastic change over the last decades, the severity varies depending on the predominant serotype. Patients with evidence of serositis, increased activated lymphocytes has a longer course in disease with poorer outcome. Early rising haematocrit, ALT/AST ratio, LDH and deranged coagulation parameters are important tools in triaging patients for priority of urgent care and hospitalization in a scenario of a future outbreak.