Mortality in Patients Diagnosed with Dengue Treated at a Second-Level Hospital in Mexico

Background: Dengue is one of the most important vector-borne diseases worldwide and continues to be a major public health problem in tropical regions¹. Although most cases are self-limited, severe dengue can lead to complications and death². Identifying clinical factors associated with mortality is essential to improve early detection and timely management³.Objective: To determine mortality and associated clinical factors in patients diagnosed with dengue treated at a second-level hospital in Mexico.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted using medical records of patients diagnosed with dengue between January and December 2023 at a second-level hospital in Veracruz, Mexico. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis using the chi-square test were performed to identify variables associated with mortality. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 25. Results: A total of 850 patients were included in the study after excluding incomplete records. The mean age was 42 ± 9.6 years, with 59.1% women (n=502) and 40.9% men (n=348). Most patients were managed on an outpatient basis, while a smaller proportion required hospitalization.Nineteen deaths associated with dengue were identified. Bivariate analysis showed statistically significant associations between mortality and clinical severity variables such as shock, respiratory distress, classification as severe dengue, thrombocytopenia, and hypoalbuminemia.Conclusions: Mortality associated with dengue in this hospital setting was mainly related to severe clinical manifestations and laboratory abnormalities linked to plasma leakage and hemodynamic instability. Early identification of these factors may improve clinical outcomes and reduce dengue-related mortality.