Malarial hepatopathy and its outcome in India

Jaundice in Plasmodium falciparum malaria is multifactorial and its incidence varies in different regions. It is important to assess the incidence and factors associated with malarial hepatopathy as well as its complications to understand the pattern of disease presentation in order to undertake appropriate interventional measures. There is a paucity of data with regard to malarial hepatopathy and its outcome at the global level.

The study was conducted to assess the pattern, spectrum of biochemical parameters and complications of hepatopathy related to P. falciparum malaria.

A descriptive study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital attached to a government medical institution in Assam, India. Demographic details of the hundred patients with P. falciparum malaria, their clinical and biochemical parameters, complications and outcome were collected using a prestructured proforma. Data was compared using proportion and Chi Square test.

The proportion of those with malarial hepatopathy was 38% and the incidence was more in males and younger age group. The degree of hyperbilirubinemia, complications that include renal failure, shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome, hypoglycemia and mortality were significantly more among patients with hepatopathy (P<0.05).

Malarial hepatopathy is associated with a higher incidence of complications like renal failure, shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome and hypoglycemia. Further studies are required to elucidate the factors associated with malarial hepatopathy and to prevent the complications and mortality.