Prevalence, clinical profile, outcome, and prognostic predictors in patients with Dengue Hepatitis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Dengue is one of the most common mosquito-borne viral infections in tropical countries, with hepatic involvement being a frequent manifestation. Dengue hepatitis is associated with varying degrees of liver dysfunction and may reflect disease severity. This study aimed to determine prevalence of dengue hepatitis among hospitalized dengue patients, compare their demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics with those without hepatitis, and identify factors associated with the diagnosis of dengue hepatitis. Results: Among 266 patients with dengue infection, 52.8% were diagnosed with dengue hepatitis. The majority of patients belonged to the 16–30 years age group, and males predominated in both groups. Patients with dengue hepatitis had significantly higher total leukocyte count, serum bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, whereas platelet counts were significantly lower than in patients without hepatitis. Clinical complications, including acute liver failure, jaundice, acute kidney injury, encephalopathy, and the need for ventilatory support, were more frequent among patients with hepatitis, although only ventilatory support showed a statistically significant association. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that higher total leukocyte count, bilirubin, ALT, AST, and LDH were positively associated with dengue hepatitis, while lower platelet count was independently associated with higher odds of dengue hepatitis. Conclusion: Dengue hepatitis was observed in more than half of hospitalized patients with dengue infection. Patients with dengue hepatitis demonstrated greater laboratory derangements, particularly thrombocytopenia and elevated liver enzymes. Early recognition of hepatic involvement, close monitoring of laboratory parameters may facilitate timely risk stratification and appropriate clinical management. Keywords: Dengue; Dengue hepatitis; Liver enzymes; Platelet count; Lactate dehydrogenase;.