Clinical Profile of Dengue Fever and Associated Expanded Dengue Syndrome in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: The worldwide epidemiology of dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is changing fast. The Indian encounter with this disease is fascinating and captivating. In recent years the disease has distorted its course exhibiting in a severe form as DHF, dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and Expanded Dengue Syndrome. Methods: The present study is an observational prospective study conducted in a single unit of the department of Medicine of a tertiary care hospital. Institutional ethics committee approval was obtained prior to enrolment of any patient. Results: The work presented in this study expands the knowledge base of dengue clinical profile and management. Fever, thrombocytopenia, raised transaminases were the common findings in the 150 patients studied. Hemorrhagic manifestations were observed in 20 patients who had required platelet transfusion. Conclusion: Dengue fever is always the foremost of these arboviral infections with significant impact on socioeconomic and healthcare cost for the patient. The clinical picture can be non-specific viral prodrome to classical dengue fever to life threatening dengue shock syndrome(DSS)/dengue haemorrhagic fever(DHF). Early diagnosing and with aggressive management particularly for DHF and DSS remains the cornerstone strategy for good outcomes.