ASSOCIATION BETWEEN DENGUE VIRUS RELATED COMPLICATIONS AND PATIENTS’ DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between observed complications in patients diagnosed with dengue fever and patients' demographic and clinical characteristics. METHODS: This cross-sectional analysis of data collected from prospective study conducted in a private hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan and comprised data of dengue patients admitted from June 2018 to December 2019. Laboratory parameters and clinical outcomes were studied. STATA 16 was used for data management and analysis. RESULTS: Out of 200 diagnosed patients of Dengue fever, 135 (67.5%) were males and 65 (32.5%) were females. The median age of diagnosis was 36 years and 67.5% were males. Only 6 (3.0%) patients were diagnosed with severe dengue disease. Forty-two (29.0%) patients experienced one or more complication(s). Most common complications observed were coagulopathy (n=16; 8%), dengue shock syndrome (n=15; 7.5%) and sepsis with infection (n=6; 3%). Median (interquartile range-IQR) of platelet count (x10^12/l) was 72.9 (41.1-129.9) and 144.0 (100.4-205.0) in patients with and without complications respectively (p<0.001). Platelet transfusion was done in 27 (13.5%) and folic acid supplementation was given to 171 (85.5%) patients. Median (IQR) duration of hospital stay was 4 (3–6) and 3(2–4) days in patient with and without complications (<0.001). Overall mortality rate was 2.0% (n=4/200). There was a statistical difference in proportion of platelet transfusion, duration of hospital stay (number of day) and survival between those who had complications and those who didn't (p=<0.001). CONCLUSION: Platelet transfusion and duration of hospital stay in the hospital were significantly associated with higher risk of dengue complications.