Publication: Clinical profile of Thrombocytopenia in Acute Febrile Illnesses; a hospital-based study
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Thrombocytopenia is a common haematological abnormality noted in clinical
practice, however, it can be missed in cases where specific investigations are not
asked for. Acute Febrile Illness with thrombocytopenia is a diagnostic and therapeutic
challenge, as thrombocytopenia has an inverse relation to mortality and morbidity
in various febrile illnesses. Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases (like malaria, dengue,
scrub typhus, and leptospirosis), infections and sepsis are some of the common
causes of fever with thrombocytopenia.
Objective
To identify the causes of fever with thrombocytopenia, assess the clinical
complications associated with febrile thrombocytopenia, and overall study the
clinical profile of thrombocytopenia in a tertiary care hospital
Method
Medical records of all adult patients, admitted to a tertiary level hospital, with
fever and thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 1,00,000 /mm3) were assessed (from
October 2009 to March 2011). Detailed case history, general physical examination
findings, routine and specific examinations were recorded according to a pre-decided
format. Data were analysed using SPSS 16.0
Result
Acute febrile illness with thrombocytopenia was most commonly seen in Dengue
patients. Headache and arthralgia were more commonly encountered in scrub
typhus. Platelet transfusions were necessitated in a large number of patients,
especially in scrub typhus. Malaria patients had the highest mortality rate.
Conclusion
Acute Febrile Illnesses (AFI) are of varied origins, and proper diagnosis is imperative.
The degree of thrombocytopenia in infections has a prognostic value. It can also help
in differential diagnosis and clear identification of aetiology of acute febrile illnesses.
Timely identification and management of thrombocytopenia in acute febrile illness
can positively impact the overall patient outcome.
KEY WORDS
Acute febrile illness, Bleeding tendencies, Fever, Thrombocytopenia, Vector-borne
diseases
Description
Dhunputh P,1 Acharya R,2 Umakanth S,1 Shetty SM,1 Mohammed AP,1 Saraswat PP1
1Department of Medicine
Dr TMA Pai Hospital (Udupi),
Melaka Manipal Medical College,
Manipal Academy of Higher Education,
Manipal, Karnataka, India
2Department of Internal Medicine
Kasturba Hospital and Kasturba Medical College,
Manipal Academy of Higher Education,
Manipal, Karnataka, India
Keywords
Acute febrile illness, Bleeding tendencies, Fever, Thrombocytopenia, Vector-borne diseases