Association of Liver Function Test with Severity of Dengue Fever in Suburbs of Islamabad

This study aimed to identify the key parameters to assist the early diagnosis of Dengue Infection to prevent severe outcomes.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to December 2022 at a tertiary care hospital. 149 patients who presented with dengue symptoms for less than 5 days were enrolled in the study. Hepatic functioning was assessed by monitoring Serum Alanine Transaminase (ALT) (normal = 7-56 IU/L), and serum Aspartate Transaminase (AST) (normal = 10-40 IU/L) levels. Abdominal ultrasound and chest X-Ray were performed, and findings were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 24.

81 patients (54.36%) were found to have Classical DF, while 46 patients (45.64%) were diagnosed with DHF or DSS. Dengue fever is more common in males than in females, and it disproportionately affects those under the age of 30. Only 81 (54.63%) of the total 149 individuals developed DF, but of those, 79 (74.4%) had normal ALT levels and 2 (4.26%) had elevated ALT levels. Among the 68 patients with DHF (45.64%), 41 (87.23%) had elevated ALT, while only 23 (22.55%) had normal ALT and all 4 (8.51%) with DSS did as well. The p-value for the correlation between platelet count and elevated ALT levels is 0.007, which is statistically significant.

Management of dengue disease requires close monitoring of hepatic enzyme levels, particularly ALT and AST, along with the platelet count. It will aid in reducing the severity of the dengue virus. In addition, there should be particular outdoor exposure guidelines, particularly during dengue season evenings, i.e., monsoon.