Evaluating Hepatic Dysfunction in Dengue Fever: A Comprehensive Analysis of Dengue Hepatitis

Abstract

Background: Dengue fever is a major mosquito-borne viral illness in tropical and subtropical regions and is increasingly recognized to involve the liver despite not being classically hepatotropic. Hepatic dysfunction in dengue ranges from mild biochemical disturbance to clinically significant hepatitis and may reflect disease severity. Objective: To evaluate hepatic involvement in confirmed dengue patients by assessing clinical features, biochemical markers, and ultrasonographic findings in a tertiary care hospital cohort. Methods: A prospective observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the dengue wards of Capital Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, from 1 August to 30 December 2024. One hundred NS1-positive patients aged more than 13 years were enrolled using non-probability convenience sampling. Data on demographics, clinical signs and symptoms, complete blood count, liver function tests, coagulation profile, and abdominal ultrasound findings were recorded and analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: Of the 100 patients, 59.0% were male and 41.0% were female, with most reported to be older than 50 years. Fever was present in 100.0% of patients, generalized body aches in 92.0%, vomiting in 53.0%, jaundice in 52.0%, thrombocytopenia in 75.0%, raised ALP in 68.0%, raised ALT in 52.0%, hepatic echotexture changes in 44.0%, and gallbladder wall thickening in 35.0%. Conclusion: Hepatic involvement was common in this dengue cohort and was reflected by frequent liver enzyme abnormalities, jaundice, thrombocytopenia, and supportive sonographic findings. Routine hepatic assessment with liver function tests and targeted ultrasonography may improve early recognition of clinically significant disease and support timely management.