A study of clinical profile of patients with dengue fever at tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Dengue fever is one of the most common arboviral mediated outbreaks reported with increased prevalence year after year with considerable morbidity and mortality. This study was designed to assess the clinical and biochemical parameters of dengue fever patients. Materials and methods: Prospective observational study was undertaken among adult patients in a Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad. Fifty patients were studied and analyzed. All patients who were NS1 antigen/ IgM dengue positive were included in the study. Clinical features, hematological and biochemical parameters were noted. Results: Of the 50 patients studied, majority were males (64%). Fever was the major symptom (100%) followed by headache (96%), myalgia (94%), retro-orbital pain (64%), conjunctival injection (24%), rash (38%), abdominal pain (74%), pleural effusion (30%) and ascites (26%). Significant derangements in platelet (70%), leucocyte counts (78%) and serum transaminases (74%) were noted. Mortality rate was zero. Conclusion: Fever associated with headache, retro-orbital pain, erythematous morbilliform rash, conjunctival suffusion and itching in palms and soles along with thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, elevated liver transaminases should prompt a clinician on the possibility of dengue infection. Platelet transfusions have little role in management of dengue patients.