Joshy Krishnan1, Sheela Kurian Venkadathu2
BACKGROUND
Dengue fever is a public health problem in India like many other countries. It causes epidemics almost each year in different parts of India causing a burden to our healthcare system. Apart from the classical manifestations, dengue fever causes involvement of different systems especially liver function. This fact is usually overlooked especially in peripheral centers. The aim of the study is to estimate the proportion of patients who develop liver function abnormalities in dengue fever to understand whether liver function abnormalities have any association with the prognosis in these patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
150 patients admitted with confirmed dengue fever were studied. Clinical features and liver function alterations were checked during admission on 3-week follow up and again on 6-week follow up. The data was analysed with the software, SPSS version 21.
RESULTS
100% of the patients had fever, headache and myalgia. Almost, all patients showed elevation of transaminase levels. SGOT level >2x upper limit of normal was observed in 86.7% patients. SGPT level >2x upper limit of normal was noticed in 54%. Serum bilirubin ï?³1.3 was noted in 15.3%. INR value >1.3 was present in 8%. On 3 weeks and 6 weeks follow up, only a limited percentage of patients showed persistence of mild elevation of transaminase level and bilirubin level. In those who showed elevated SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin and INR values, the hospital stay was found prolonged. The death rate was 1.3% (2 patients).
CONCLUSION
Hepatic dysfunction is common in dengue fever. The severity of hepatic dysfunction showed a statistically significant association with mortality, duration of hospital stay and persistent hyperbilirubinaemia.
