Acute Diarrhoea in Dengue Patients – A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study

Authors

  • Amit Wazib Professor, Department of Medicine, Bangladesh Medical College, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Shaila Rahman Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Mahdi Hayat Tonmoy Intern, Department of Medicine, Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Shudipta Roy Hamonta Intern, Department of Medicine, Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Takambin Tabassum Maya Intern, Department of Medicine, Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Mehnaz Kamal Study Physician, Nutrition and Clinical Research Department, ICDDR, B

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v44i2.89351

Keywords:

Acute diarrhoea in dengue, dengue shock syndrome, expanded dengue syndrome, severe dengue, prolonged hospital stay

Abstract

Introduction: In Bangladesh, dengue fever is an endemic illness, with high rates of mortality during outbreaks. Acute diarrhoea is a common symptom of dengue fever. This study aimed to identify the frequency of acute diarrhoea in dengue virus infection, and its association with various factors and the in-hospital outcome.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 203 dengue patients who were admitted to a tertiary-level teaching hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, between July and October 2023.  The frequency of acute diarrhoea in dengue patients was calculated, and its associations with various demographic, clinical and haematological parameters, complications, categories of dengue virus infection, ICU/HDU transfer and length of hospital stay were assessed.

Results: Diarrhoea developed in 17.7% of dengue patients. The study identified an association of platelet count less than 50,000/cumm with acute diarrhoea in dengue patients (p-value <0.001). Organ dysfunctions (p-value <0.001), particularly cholecystitis (p-value 0.03), acute kidney injury (p-value 0.04) and pancreatitis (p-value 0.02), as well as multiorgan dysfunctions (p-value 0.02), were significantly more frequent in dengue patients with acute diarrhoea. Dengue shock syndrome (p-value 0.047), expanded dengue syndrome (p-value 0.04) and severe dengue (p-value 0.01) were found in higher frequencies in dengue patients with acute diarrhoea, who also had longer hospital stays (p-value <0.001).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that acute diarrhoea is significantly associated with severe clinical outcomes in dengue, including organ dysfunction and prolonged hospitalization. Incorporating this symptom into early risk stratification may enhance clinical decision-making and patient care.

J Bangladesh Coll Phys Surg 2026; 44: 94-102

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Published

2026-04-30

How to Cite

Wazib, A., Rahman, S., Tonmoy, M. H., Hamonta, S. R., Maya, T. T., & Kamal, M. (2026). Acute Diarrhoea in Dengue Patients – A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study. Journal of Bangladesh College of Physicians and Surgeons, 44(2), 94–102. https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcps.v44i2.89351

Issue

Vol. 44 No. 2 (2026)

Section

Original Articles

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