Clinical and epidemiological characterization of dengue hemorrhagic fever cases in northeastern, Brazil Caracterização clínica e epidemiológica dos casos de dengue hemorrágica no nordeste do Brasil

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Luciano Pamplona de Góes Cavalcanti, Ivo Castelo Branco Coelho, Dina Cortez Lima Feitosa Vilar, Susana Glória Silveira Holanda, Kiliana Nogueira Farias da Escóssia, Reinaldo Souza-Santos
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2010
• Subjects: Dengue hemorrágico; Epidemiologia; Fatores de risco; Dengue hemorrhagic fever; Epidemiology; Risk factors; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic; Nordeste
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/S0037-86822010000400003; https://doaj.org/article/1813fec0a18d40788c11e80592a35c64

INTRODUCTION: The dengue hemorrhagic dengue (DHF) remains an important public health problem in Brazil. The objective of this study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of DHF cases during the 2003 epidemic in Ceará. METHODS: Suspected DHF cases with onset of symptoms between January and December 2003 were investigated. RESULTS: 37,964 classic dengue cases and 291 DHF cases were reported. Among the cases discarded, 75.5% were serologically positive but did not meet the criteria recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The DHF patients' median age was 30 years (2 - 88). Among the hemorrhagic manifestations, petechiae were the most (32.6%) frequent. Cases of gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, pericardial pleural effusion, hepatomegaly, hypotension and shock showed higher risk of progression to death (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of a new serotype (DENV-3) in Ceará, which encountered a susceptible population and high vector density, may have been the primary agent responsible for the magnitude of the epidemic. Timely and appropriate medical care, along with an organized care structure are essential for reducing its lethality. INTRODUÇÃO: A febre hemorrágica do dengue (FHD) permanece como um importante problema de saúde pública no Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar os aspectos epidemiológicos dos casos de dengue hemorrágico durante a epidemia de 2003, no Ceará. MÉTODOS: Foram investigados os casos suspeitos de FHD, com início de sintomas no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2003. RESULTADOS: Foram reportados 37.964 casos de dengue clássica, com 291 casos de FHD. Entre os casos descartados, 75,5% apresentaram sorologia positiva, mas não preenchem os critérios recomendados pela Organização Mundial de Saúde. A mediana de idade dos pacientes com FHD foi de 30 anos (2 - 88). Para manifestações hemorrágicas, as petéquias com 32,6% foram as mais frequentes. Os casos de hemorragia digestiva, ascite, derrame pleural e pericárdico, hepatomegalia, hipotensão e choque apresentaram ...