Evaluation of Correlation Between Complications and Platelet Indices in Patients with Dengue Fever: A Prospective Observational Study

Background: Dengue fever is one of the major mosquito-borne viral illnesses. It is associated with significant morbidity due to plasma leakage and hemorrhagic complications. For predicting disease severity, platelet indices have been suggested as a surrogate marker.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between platelet indices and clinical complications in patients with dengue fever.

Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, we included 200 patients admitted with clinically suspected and serologically confirmed dengue fever to a tertiary care hospital in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India, between the time period of August 2020 and August 2021. Platelet indices including platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution with (PDW), and plateletcrit (PCT) were analyzed using an automated hematology analyzer. Patients were assessed for complications such as ascites, pleural effusion, and hemorrhagic manifestations. Data were analyzed descriptively to assess correlations.

Results: Out of 200 patients, hemorrhagic complications were observed in 53 patients. Complications such as ascites and pleural effusion were noted in 11 and 7 patients, respectively. In patients with MPV between 9-12.95 fL, PDW >14 fL, platelet count <50,000/cu mm, and plateletcrit <0.20%, a higher frequency of complications was noted. Petechiae were noted in 38 cases and melena was noted in 21 cases, they were the most common hemorrhagic manifestations.

Conclusion: Platelet indices demonstrate a meaningful association with complications in dengue fever and may serve as accessible markers for early risk stratification in clinical practice.