Prevalence of Ocular Manifestation in Patients Hospitalized with DengueFever during its Outbreak in Bangladesh

Abstract

Introduction: Since its initial outbreak in 2000, the clinical presentation of dengue fever in Bangladesh has undergone significant changes. This report highlights the clinical characteristics of the 2019 outbreak and compares them to those recorded in previous outbreaks in the region. The aim of the study is to investigate the range of ocular symptoms in patients hospitalized for dengue fever during an outbreak. Materials & Methods: This prospective observational study sought to examine ocular manifestations linked to dengue fever among 500 hospitalized patients at Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital from August 2023 to October 2023. The study group comprised both men and women, with an average age of (mean age) years, spanning from 15 to 45 years. Result: The study reveals that most participants are between 31 and 40 years old, with a mean age of 33.12±12.65 years. A majority, 75.4%, are male, while females constitute 24.6% of the participants. Sub-conjunctival hemorrhage, occurring in 55.2% of cases, is the most common ocular manifestation. Other manifestations include peripheral retinal hemorrhage (14.2%), conjunctival chemosis (9.4%), hard exudates (9.2%), anterior uveitis (6.2%), cotton wool spots (2.2%), optic neuritis (1.2%), and retinal vasculitis (2.4%). All ocular changes had resolved in patients who returned for follow-up within 8 to 10 weeks. Conclusion: Hospitalized dengue fever patients commonly exhibited ocular pain and subconjunctival hemorrhage, with intra-retinal hemorrhages, maculopathy, and cotton wool spots also observed, often linked to low platelet counts. Fundus examination can help predict patient prognosis.