Association of abnormal gallbladder radiological findings with disease severity in Dengue fever

Introduction: Ultrasonography of the gallbladder is an effective tool in screening patients with Dengue fever susceptible to critical phase progression. The purpose of our research was to associate abnormal gallbladder imaging results with disease severity in dengue fever. Methodology: A Cross-Sectional study was conducted in the department of medicine, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from 1st July to 30th November 2023. Overall, 110 individuals diagnosed with Dengue fever, admitted to the Dengue ward of the Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi were selected after applying inclusion/exclusion criteria. Participants provided informed consent. Ultrasound gallbladder of all the Dengue positive patients was performed. The radiological findings were then compared with the Dengue severity. According to WHO guidelines, dengue severity was classified into three grades: Patients with no warning signs or probable dengue were categorized as grade A, Dengue patients with warning signs were categorized as grade B and patients with severe Dengue were categorized as grade C. Results: Gallbladder wall thickening was associated with increased Dengue severity. Patients diagnosed with dengue in grade A dengue category were 63%, whereas 31% had grade B dengue and only 16% had grade C dengue. Gallbladder wall thickening was noted in 7%, 25% and 15% of grade A, B and C patients respectively. Pericholecystic collection was observed in 9% and cholecystitis in 5% cases. Conclusion: Gallbladder wall thickening is associated well with the disease severity in dengue fever.