title: Relevance of Non-communicable Comorbidities for the Development of the Severe Forms of Dengue: A Systematic Literature Review.
abstract: Patients with dengue fever and comorbidities seem to be at higher risk of developing complications and/or severe dengue compared to healthier individuals. This study systematically reviews the evidence related to comorbidities and dengue. A systematic literature review was performed in five databases (EMBASE, PUBMED, Global Health, SciELO, Cochrane) and grey literature for full-text articles since its inceptions until October 10, 2015. A total of 230 articles were retrieved. Sixteen studies were analysed after applying all inclusion and exclusion criteria. Seven case control studies and nine retrospective cohort studies showed that comorbidities may contribute to severe dengue, especially 1) cardiovascular disease, 2) stroke, 3) diabetes, 4) respiratory disease and 5) renal disease, as well as old age. However, due to heterogeneity in studies, the real estimate effect of comorbidities as modifiers of dengue severity could not be established. Further research in regions with high prevalence of dengue infection would contribute to a better understanding of the relevance of comorbidities in severe dengue, especially with a standardised protocol, for outcomes, specific comorbidities, study design-best using prospective designs-and sample sizes.
authors.affiliation: Consultant in Public Health, Ministry of Health, Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Amrita School of Medicine, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kochi, India.
authors.forename: Leyanna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Instituto Pedro Kouri, La Habana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Consultant in Public Health, Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Adhara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lazaro
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, Rangoon, Myanmar.
authors.forename: Wai Wai
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Coordinator of the Brazilian Dengue Programme, Ministry of Health, Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Giovanini E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Coelho
authors.affiliation: Consultant in Public Health, Ludwigsburg, Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Runge Ranzinger
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Horstick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult