Assessment of hepatic dysfunction in patients with dengue fever: A cross-sectional study

Background: Dengue fever, the most significant arthropod-borne illness, is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and caused by four DENV serotypes, leading to symptoms ranging from mild fever to severe forms like dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. This study aimed to assess hepatic dysfunction in patients with dengue fever and identify clinical and laboratory predictors of liver-related complications. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out over six months (June to December 2024) at the Department of Medicine, Bacha Khan Medical College and Mardan Medical Complex. Dengue-positive patients aged 17 years and above (confirmed via NS-1, IgG, or IgM) were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. Patients under 17 or with malaria co-infection or chronic liver disease were excluded. Clinical evaluation included complete blood count, liver function tests, and abdominal ultrasound. Associations between liver complications and variables such as age, platelet count, bilirubin levels, and hepatomegaly were analyzed using SPSS version 29. Results: Most patients (58.8%) were male, with a mean age of 34.2 ± 9.3 years. Hepatomegaly was present in 31.8%, while elevated ALT and bilirubin were noted in 38.3% and 45.9% respectively. ALT levels were significantly higher in patients with hepatomegaly (p=0.004). Conclusion: The study underscores the need to monitor liver function in dengue patients, especially those with hepatomegaly, high bilirubin, and low platelets, as these indicate hepatic dysfunction and disease severity. Early detection and management may enhance outcomes.