Clinical features of inpatients in the first chikungunya fever epidemic in China / 中华传染病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze clinical features of patients with chikungunya fever and provide future reference for prevention and control of the disease. Methods Forty-six confirmed chikungunya fever inpatients were included. Their clinical symptoms, signs, blood count, key biochemical indicators and treatments were analyzed. The comparison between groups were done by ttest. Results The percentages of total cases presenting with fever, rash and joint pain were 100. 0% (46/46), 91. 3% (42/46) and 89. 1% (41/46), respectively. Fifteen (32.6%) cases displayed leucopenia. Increases in lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) were observed in 45. 5%(20/44) and 28. 9%(13/45) of the cases, respectively. Three cases displayed an increase of alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Administration of ribavarin extend febrile time compared to symptom-relieving treatments (t=2. 588, P = 0. 013). Conclusions Clinical features of chikungunya fever include fever, rash and joint pain. Good prognosis can be resulted from symptom-relieving treatment. Antiviral treatment may not be beneficial to reducing course of disease.