Clinical Warning Signs and Their Association with Severe Dengue Outcomes in Adult Patients

Background: Dengue is a viral illness that can fluctuate from mild sickness to severe dengue. Indicators such as stomach discomfort, nausea, and fluid build-up assist in forecasting serious results. Lab tests are frequently restricted, making clinical characteristics crucial. This study evaluates the correlation of warning signs with severe dengue in adults.
Methods: A forward-looking study at Dinajpur Medical Hospital (Jan–Dec 2024) recruited 120 adults with verified dengue, excluding people with long-term illnesses, pregnancy, or other infections. Demographics, clinical warning signs, and lab parameters were recorded. Severe dengue was categorized according to WHO criteria from 2009. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25, with ethics approval and informed consent obtained. Results: Among 120 adult dengue patients, most were male (65.8%), middle-aged or older, and urban residents (56.7%), with 71.7% having no co-morbidities and 18.3% reporting prior dengue. Severe dengue occurred in 15% of patients. Common warning signs were abdominal pain (54.2%), rising hematocrit (39.2%), and rapid platelet fall (37.5%). Critical instances were notably linked to comorbidities, prior dengue, abdominal pain, vomiting, mucosal bleeding, fluid accumulation, thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration, and elevated AST/ALT, reflecting more pronounced hematological and hepatic involvement compared with non-severe cases.
Conclusion: Severe dengue occurred more frequently in individuals with comorbid conditions or past infections. Warning signs like abdominal pain, vomiting, and fluid accumulation, along with low platelets, rising hematocrit, and elevated liver enzymes, were linked to severity, emphasizing the importance of thorough clinical and laboratory observation for prompt intervention.