demographic and clinical features of dengue fever in pakistan from 2003–2007 a retrospective cross-sectional study人口统计学和临床特征的登革热在巴基斯坦从2003 - 2007年回顾横断面研究.pdfVIP

Demographic and Clinical Features of Dengue Fever in Pakistan from 2003–2007: A Retrospective Cross- Sectional Study 1 2 1 1 1 1 Erum Khan *, Mehreen Kisat , Nabil Khan , Amna Nasir , Salma Ayub , Rumina Hasan 1 Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, 2 Medical College, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan Abstract Background: Demographic features of dengue fever have changed tremendously in Pakistan over the past two decades. Small scale studies from all over the country have reported different aspects of individual outbreaks during this time. However, there is scarcity of data looking at the overall trend of dengue virus infection in the country. In this study, we examined annual trends, seasonality, and clinical features of dengue fever in the Pakistani population. Methods: Demographic information and dengue IgM status of all patients tested for dengue IgM antibody at Aga Khan University Hospital from January 2003 to December 2007 were analyzed to look for trends of IgM-positive cases in Pakistan. In addition, clinical and biochemical parameters were abstracted retrospectively from medical records of all patients hospitalized with IgM-proven dengue fever between January 2006 and December 2007. These patients were categorized into dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever according to the WHO severity grading scale. Results: Out of a total of 15040 patients (63.2% male and 36.8% female), 3952 (26.3%) tested positive for dengue IgM antibody. 209 IgM proven dengue patients were hospitalized during the study period. During 2003, IgM positive cases were seen only during the months of July-December. In contrast, such cases were detected throughout th