Use of Alanine Aminotransferases Level and Platelet Count to Predict Dengue Fever Severity

Objective: To determine the use of raised Alanine Aminotransferases and low platelet count as predictors of dengue fever severity. Study Design: Cross sectional observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine District Headquarter Hospital Rawalpindi, from August 2014 to 31 December 2014. Materials and Methods: Diagnosed cases of dengue fever based on history, examination and positive non structural protein 1(NS 1) antigen were included consecutively. Platelet count and Alanine Aminotransferases level were performed on admission. Patients were classified into different groups on the basis of Alanine Aminotransferases level and Platelet count. Disease severity and outcome was observed as; having dengue without complications, dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. The relationship of Aminotransferases levels and Platelet count were studied with the disease severity. The statistical analysis of data was done in SPSS version 20. Results: Among 124 confirmed dengue fever cases, 66.9% were males and 33.1% females with mean age of 30.79+13.78 years. Mean duration of fever was 5.59+1.32 days and mean duration of hospital stay was 3.74+1.04 days. Elevated Alanine level was found in 89.5%. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 99.58% patients. Most of our patients were found to have dengue fever without complications, only 20.2% developed dengue hemorrhagic fever and 11.3% developed dengue shock syndrome. Conclusion: Neither Alanine Aminotransferases, nor low platelet count can predict the severity of Dengue fever.