Comparison of frequency with pattern of thrombocytopenia and prevalence of dengue hepatitis in patients with dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever: A cross-sectional study from Rawalpindi Medical University.

Abstract

Objective: To assess frequency and severity of thrombocytopenia and evaluate prevalence and severity of dengue hepatitis among patients with DF and DHF. Study Design: Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. Setting: Department of Medicine, Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital (RTH), affiliated with Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Period: One Year from September 2024 to September 2025. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study involving 200 serologically confirmed dengue patients (100 DF, 100 DHF) admitted to a Rawalpindi Medical University Teaching Hospital. Platelet counts were classified as per severity and dengue hepatitis was confirmed from noted elevations in ALT and AST. Chi-square tests and correlation were used to ascertain associations between fever type and laboratory variables. Statistical significance was robust at p<0.05. Results: Thrombocytopenia was common among all patients and severe thrombocytopenia (<40×10³/µL) was slightly more frequent among DHF. However, the association between fever type and platelet levels did not show significant correlation (p>0.05). On the other hand, Dengue Hepatitis Was Higher In Prevalence And Severity Among DHF Patients With Increased ALT Levels (P=0.011). Higher AST elevations were seen in most patients. A significant negative correlation was identified between hepatic enzyme levels and disease severity (Spearman r = –0.232, p=0.001), suggesting transaminase levels progressively rise then fall during the course of ill clinical status. Conclusion: Although thrombocytopenia occurred frequently in both DF and DHF without a significant difference, dengue hepatitis was substantially more common and severe in DHF. Elevated liver enzymes, particularly ALT and AST, serve as reliable indicators of Severe Dengue and may aid in early risk stratification.