Risk of renal dysfunction in patients with dengue fever: a case-control study

Abstract

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne infection, is typically caused by the Dengue virus, leading to various illnesses, including dengue fever and severe dengue fever. This study aims to investigate the outcome of dengue fever severity as renal dysfunction in patients. For this case-control study, blood samples of the patients (N=66), including 31 D-W (Dengue without warning signs), 20 D+W (Dengue with warning signs), and 15 SDF (Severe dengue fever), as well as controls (N=45) of same age groups, were obtained. The renal parameters were determined and statistically analyzed using a one-way ANOVA and chi-square/Fisher exact test. The intergroup comparison showed that phosphorous, calcium, and sodium presented a marked decrease (P < 0.001) in dengue patient groups compared to controls. However, a significant increase (P < 0.05) in chloride was indicated in dengue patient groups. Moreover, a prominent potassium reduction (P = 0.036) was observed in the dengue subjects group compared to controls. Among the renal parameters, creatinine presented a significant elevation (P < 0.002) while uric acid was significantly (P = 0.004) dropped in dengue patients groups as compared to controls. This study's results suggest that dengue infection's severity may be associated with aberrant electrolyte imbalance and renal impairment. This study indicates that dengue affects normal kidney functions and harms the patients' health. Keywords: electrolytes; renal profile; dengue fever; severe dengue fever