Etiology and outcome of patients of fever with thrombocytopenia

Background Given the rising number of cases, it is crucial to consider the factors that significantly impact the prognosis of patients with fever and thrombocytopenia. This study was conducted to investigate the prognostic factors in patients admitted to our hospital with fever and thrombocytopenia. Aim The research aims to investigate the etiology, clinical presentation, and outcome of patients with fever and thrombocytopenia, specifically focusing on the impact on morbidity in a tertiary care center. Materials & Methods This prospective observational study was conducted on 100 patients with fever and thrombocytopenia in the Department of General Medicine, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha, India, between June 2021 and October 2022. Results The study reveals a significant correlation between the duration of fever and patient outcomes. Male patients accounted for 57% of admissions, while females accounted for 43%. Forty-two percent of patients were admitted with fever lasting four days or less, while 58% experienced fever lasting more than four days. The general condition was normal in 68% of patients, with 60% experiencing only fever and 7% experiencing hemorrhagic fever without shock. Among the 33 patients with respiratory distress, 4 had only fever, 10 had hemorrhagic fever without shock, and 19 had hemorrhagic fever with shock. Out of 49 patients with a platelet count of less than one lakh/µL, 18 developed only fever, and 12 had hemorrhagic fever without shock. Significant factors in the outcome included packed cell volume, renal function tests, coagulation profiles, and pleural effusion. Serology significantly influenced morbidity predictions, with 61% of cases testing positive for dengue. Conclusion Fever with shock was experienced by 23 patients, while 15 had fever with hemorrhage. Late hospital visits, dehydration, respiratory distress, altered sensorium, and abnormal coagulation profiles contributed to poor outcomes. Patients with pleural effusion and ascites at the time of admission also showed negative outcomes.