Dengue hepatitis: Incidence, spectrum and outcome

While dengue infection is common in India, there is scarce information on dengue hepatitis. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence, spectrum and outcome of dengue hepatitis.

We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients, who had hepatitis among those with dengue infection admitted to two tertiary care hospitals in western India from January 2016 to March 2021. Diagnosis of dengue infection was made by serology. Dengue hepatitis was diagnosed and the severity of dengue was categorized by standard criteria.

Of 1664 patients admitted with dengue fever during the study period, 199 patients had hepatitis (i.e. incidence of dengue hepatitis was 11.9%). Of the 199 dengue hepatitis patients (age: 29 [13 - 80] years, median [range], 67% males), 100 patients (50%) had severe dengue, 73 (36%) had severe dengue hepatitis, 32 (16%) had dengue shock syndrome and eight (4%) had acute liver failure. Forty-five patients (23%) had acute lung injury and 32 (16%) had acute kidney injury. The dengue hepatitis patients were treated with standard medical care, including vital organ support, as needed-166 (83%) patients survived, while 33 patients (17%) died (cause of death: multi-organ failure: 24 patients, septic shock: nine patients). The presence of shock independently predicted mortality (odds ratio 6.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.2 - 34). Among patients with dengue hepatitis, mortality rate was higher in those with severe dengue (23%), dengue shock syndrome (47%), severe dengue hepatitis (24%) and acute liver failure (38%).

In this large series of hospitalized patients with dengue infection, the incidence of dengue hepatitis was 11.9%. Among 199 dengue hepatitis, 17% died; multi-organ failure was the commonest cause for death and death rate was higher in patients with more severe disease. The presence of shock at presentation independently predicted mortality.