Patterns of disease among adults hospitalized with dengue infections

Recent years have seen an increase in dengue infections among adults in Sri Lanka, with similar trends seen in many other countries. Data on the natural history and outcome of dengue in adults are quite limited.

To study clinical and laboratory findings in adult dengue patients hospitalized in Sri Lanka during a recent major dengue epidemic.

Prospective observational study.

Clinical, laboratory and demographic information were collected from adult patients with confirmed dengue infections (n = 108) treated in a general medical ward in Sri Lanka from 24 April to 31 July 2004.

There were 68 male and 40 female patients, mean age 26.6 years. Dengue fever (DF) was seen in 33 (30.6%) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) in 75 (69.4%). Of the 37 (34.3%) with primary dengue infections, 19 (51.4%) developed DF and 18 (48.6%) developed DHF. Overall, 42 patients (38.9%) had bleeding manifestations. These adults showed differences in clinical and laboratory findings, disease severity and mortality, compared to children seen during the same epidemic. Secondary dengue infections were significantly associated with development of severe disease (OR 5.0, 95%CI 1.9-13.5, p < 0.001). Mortality was 3.7%.

Pooling data on adult dengue patients from different regions should help us to understand the natural history of disease in this group. It would also help in developing evidence-based treatment guidelines and allocating limited and scarce health resources. Our data contribute towards this goal.