A study of clinical profile of dengue fever in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Abstract

Dengue is a major international health concern that is prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical countries.The total burden of febrile illnesses that is presented to primary health facilities due to dengue in parts of North Karnataka is largely unknown. Objective of the present study is to study the clinical manifestations, trend and outcome of all confirmed dengue cases admitted in a tertiary care hospital. Prospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital of north Karnataka. Required data from all the laboratory confirmed cases from May 2012 to April 2013 was collected. Study included 100 patients. Majority were males, 54(54%) and in the age group of 16-40 years 61%. The most common presentation was fever 100 (100%), followed by headache (90%),myalgia (81%), vomiting (56%) and abdominal pain (48%). The most common hemorrhagic manifestation was petechiae 21%. 22% had dengue hemorrhagic fever with 16% had dengue shock syndrome. Complications seen were hepatic dysfunction 34%, renal failure 26%, multi organ failure 18%, encephalopathy13% and ARDS in 12%. Deaths reported were 11%. Community awareness, early diagnosis and management and vector control measures need to be strengthened in order to reduce the increasing number of dengue cases.