Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Dengue in Kashmir Valley.

Background: As majority of cases of dengue are associated with thrombocytopenia, it is indispensable to study clinical presentation, biochemical parameters and outcome of dengue fever in a population known with low platelet count.

Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted from September 2016 to August 2017that included forty NS-1 antigen (IgM) Dengue positive patients. Clinical features, laboratory parameters and outcome of dengue patients were noted.

Results: All the patients had travel history outside the valley into the neighbouring state. Most patients (70%) had duration of stay between 21-30 days in dengue prevalent areas before catching the illness. Duration of symptoms was between 4-9 days in majority of patients (92.5%). Most patients (85%) presented in months of September to November. The three most common symptoms were fever (100%), chills (92.5%) and headache (80%). The most common laboratory features were thrombocytopenia (97.5%), leukopenia (87.5%), transaminitis (87.5%) and raised LDH (32.5%). One patient developed Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). All patients recovered completely.

Conclusion: DF in Kashmir is seen exclusively in travellers to other states especially in the monsoon season.DF in Kashmiri patients has a favourable outcome despite low baseline platelet count. DHF is uncommon in Kashmiri population.