Clinical Profile, Treatment Outcome, and Predictors of Mortality in Dengue Patients Admitted During Epidemic Season

Author(s): Md. Mizanur Rahman Khan, Md. Rezaul Alam, Ferdous Jahan, Kazi Mohammad Kamrul Islam

Introduction:

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that poses a major public health challenge, particularly during seasonal epidemics in endemic regions. It presents a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild febrile illness to life-threatening complications such as severe plasma leakage, bleeding, and organ impairment. This study aims to analyze the clinical profile, treatment outcomes, and key predictors of mortality among dengue patients admitted during an epidemic season.

Methods:

This prospective observational study was conducted at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh over six months from July to December 2024, during the peak dengue epidemic season. A total of 107 adult patients (≥18 years) admitted with confirmed dengue infection were included. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result:

Among 107 dengue patients, most were young males with common symptoms like fever, myalgia, and headache. Thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and elevated liver enzymes were frequent lab findings. While 57% had uncomplicated dengue, 12.1% developed severe disease. Platelet transfusion was needed in 26.2%, ICU care in 11.2%, with a recovery rate of 94.4% and 5.6% mortality. Bleeding manifestations and SGPT >100 IU/L were independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusion:

Most patients exhibited thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and elevated liver enzymes, indicating hematological and hepatic involvement. While over half had uncomplicated dengue, nearly onethird developed warning signs and 12.1% progressed to severe dengue. Treatment outcomes were favorable in most cases, with a recovery rate of 94.4% and a mortality rate of 5.6%. Multivariate analysis identified bleeding manifestations and markedly elevated SGPT levels (>100 IU/L) as independent predictors of mortality.