Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Dengue Cases in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Dhaka

Abstract

Background: Dengue fever is a painful, rapidly spreading vector-borne viral disease of global public health concern. The most recent dengue outbreaks in Bangladesh have demonstrated epidemiological patterns distinctly different from previous ones, with notable shifts in clinical presentation, serotype distribution, and disease severity.The aim of the study was  to assess the clinical profile and laboratory findings of dengue patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Konia, Gazipur City, Dhaka. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, Tairunnessa Memorial Medical College & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, from February to December 2025. A total of 100 dengue patients were enrolled by purposive sampling. Diagnosis was established on the basis of clinical and laboratory parameters. Ethical approval was obtained and written informed consent was secured from all participants. Complete blood count, liver function tests, renal function tests, NS1 antigen, and dengue IgM/IgG serology were performed. Platelet count, haemoglobin, and haematocrit were monitored serially. Data were expressed as mean ± SD, frequency, and percentage. Chi-square and Z-proportion tests were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 26.0. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The majority of both female (16; 47.1%) and male (31; 47.0%) patients were in the 30–39-year age group. Mean age was 33.38±9.63 years for females and 33.62±9.21 years for males. Universal presenting symptoms included fever (100%), myalgia (100%), and nausea (100%), followed by headache (81%), retro-orbital pain (65%), diarrhoea (56%), abdominal pain (54%), vomiting (43%), rash (29%), and malaise (7%). NS1 antigen was positive in 76%, dengue IgM in 92%, and dengue IgG in 10% of patients. Mean AST was 74.76±59.73 U/L and mean ALT was 65.43±50.56 U/L, yielding a mean AST/ALT ratio of 1.19±0.49. An AST/ALT ratio >1 was observed in 65% of patients versus <1 in 35%; this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001).Conclusion: Dengue fever continues to represent a serious and evolving public health challenge in Bangladesh. The changing patterns of clinical presentation must be thoroughly understood, and continuous surveillance with timely intervention is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality. Bangladesh J Medicine 2026; 37(3): 234-238