Outcome of Dengue Fever in Adults

Abstract

Background: Dengue fever is a mosquito borne viral infection. Recent years have seen epidemics of this disease. It manifests in three ways, a mild atypical form, classic dengue and dengue haemorrhagic fever. This study was carried out to know the outcome of dengue fever in adults in our setup.

Material & Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Medical A Unit Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar. Patients with dengue fever admitted from August 2010 to December 2010 were included. A proforma containing relevant details was filled for each patient. The diagnosis was based on clinical features and serology.

Results: Thirty-eight patients with dengue fever were studied; 23 males and 15 females. Age ranged from 18 to 60 years. Two were from Afghanistan and 36 from various parts of the Khyber Pakhtun Khwa province and adjacent tribal areas. Thirty patients had a history of travel to endemic areas. Two patients suffered from dengue haemorrhagic fever while the rest had disease without hemorrhagic manifestations. Fever was the commonest presentation 38(100%), followed by vomiting (55%), pain abdomen (50%). Pancytopenia was found in 10% patients, thrombocytopenia 50%, anaemia 45% and leukopenia in 40%. One patient from Afghanistan with dengue haemorrhagic fever died.All other patients were discharged uneventfully.

Conclusion: Dengue fever is a mild illness with favorable outcome unless the presentation is with hemorrhagic phenomena.