Laboratory and Clinical Profile of Dengue Patients: A Cross-sectional Observational Study from Tertiary Case Hospital in Bangalore, India

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the clinical and laboratory profiles of dengue patients in a tertiary care setting and identify predictors of severe outcomes. Study Design: Cross-sectional prospective observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Medicine, ESI MC & PGIMSR, Bangalore, India between October 2024 and March 2025 (6 months duration). Methodology: We studied 50 serologically confirmed dengue patients (NS1Ag/IgM positive) aged >18 years. Daily monitoring included complete hemogram, liver function tests (AST/ALT), and ultrasonography (gallbladder/ascites). Patients were managed as per WHO 2021 guidelines. Statistical analysis used SPSS v26 (descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Chi-square, logistic regression). Results: The cohort showed male predominance (60%, n=30) with peak incidence in 18-40 years (66%). Universal symptoms included fever (100%) and myalgia (86%); bleeding manifestations occurred in 23%. Laboratory findings revealed severe thrombocytopenia (<50,000/mm³) in 66%, leucopenia (<4,000/mm³) in 90%, and elevated AST/ALT (>45 IU/L) in all cases. Ultrasonography detected gallbladder wall thickening (18%) and ascites (22%). Complications included ARDS (4%) with 2% mortality. Platelet transfusions were administered to 38% patients (only 12% met strict WHO criteria). Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia, transaminitis and ultrasonographic findings effectively predict dengue severity. Strict adherence to WHO transfusion thresholds (<10,000/mm³ without bleeding) could optimize resource utilization in endemic regions.