title: Epidemiological and demographic characteristics of dengue disease at a tertiary care centre in Saurashtra region during the year 2013.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dengue is one of the most important vector-borne viral infection which may lead to haemorrhage or even shock. The present study was conducted with an objective to study the epidemiological and demographic characteristics of dengue disease during the year 2013 in Saurashtra region of Gujarat state, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  A longitudinal study was conducted at sentinel surveillance centre for dengue disease at microbiology department of tertiary care hospital in Rajkot, Gujarat from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013. A total of 4366 blood samples were collected during study period and serologically tested for dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody by capture ELISA testing from various districts of Saurashtra region. Patients with acute onset of illness, high grade fever, severe headache, backache, musculoskeletal pain or retro-bulbar pain with or without rashes were considered as clinically suspected case of dengue virus infection. Patient who presented with fever and found positive for Dengue NS1 Ag and/or IgM Ab was considered as a case. A pre-tested structured proforma was used as a tool for data collection. The data was entered into EpiInfo software and analyzed by using appropriate statistical test (chi-square test).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 4366 tested samples, 41.3% samples were found positive for dengue. Majority of samples were tested in age group 16-25 yr (33.9%) and 26-45 yr (31.1%). The ratio of male cases (60.8%) was higher than female cases. Two-third (68.7%) suspected cases were residing in urban areas of Saurashtra region. More than half of the cases (57%) were diagnosed within five days of fever by NS1 antigen test. The reporting of number of cases increased from July 2013, which reached to peak during September 2013 followed by decrease till December 2013.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dengue predominately affected males and urban population. A seasonal occurrence was reported mainly during monsoon season. A long term serosurveillance study may help to provide more information about the intensity, seasonal incidence and seasonal effect.
authors.forename: Madhulika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mistry
authors.forename: Yogesh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Goswami
authors.affiliation: Community Medicine Department, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Medical College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Rajesh K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Chudasama
authors.forename: Dhara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thakkar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003715:Dengue / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral