Gender-Based Hematological Variations in Dengue Fever: Evidence From a Tertiary Healthcare Setting in Peshawar, Pakistan

Background: Dengue Fever, a prevalent mosquito-borne disease, particularly impacts tropical and subtropical regions, posing significant public health challenges. Despite its prevalence, gender-specific hematological changes in dengue fever remain understudied, particularly within specific healthcare settings such as Peshawar, Pakistan. Objective: The study aims to assess the hematological parameters, their gender-based variations, and the prevalence of serological markers among dengue fever patients presenting at a tertiary care setting in Hayatabad, Peshawar, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: A single-center, descriptive, observational study utilized retrospective data from a private tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan. A convenience sample of 101 patients meeting WHO criteria for suspected dengue fever between September and November 2022 was included. Data extraction from electronic health records covered demographics, serology, and hematological parameters. Statistical analysis involved means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages using SPSS 26.0. Results: Predominantly, young males constituted the dengue patient cohort, with NS1 antigen positivity (94.06%) and thrombocytopenia (40.59%) as common serological markers. Male and female hematological profiles exhibited notable variations, including reductions in red blood cell count (11%), hematocrit (26%), hemoglobin levels (13%), and mean corpuscular volume (43%). Thrombocytopenia was prevalent (93%), with lymphocytopenia (20%) and neutrophilia (13%) observed in some cases. Conclusion: The investigation highlights the predominant occurrence of dengue fever among young males, with NS1 antigen positivity serving as a prevalent serological indicator. Furthermore, thrombocytopenia emerges as the foremost hematological aberration observed in the studied population.