Influence of demographics on clinical outcome of dengue: a cross-sectional study of 6703 confirmed cases in Vitória, Espírito Santo State, Brazil.
Dengue presents a wide clinical spectrum of signs and symptoms, with characteristics of the host potentially influencing the disease evolution. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of gender and age on dengue clinical outcomes in a recent outbreak situation in Brazil, applying a cross-sectional design and including 6703 dengue cases with laboratory confirmation, occurring in Vitória, Espírito Santo State, Brazil, between 2007 and 2013. Data were obtained from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases. Overall, 11·3% of the sample presented with severe dengue, which affected 13·0% of males, 10·0% of females, 8·8% of children, 12·5% of adolescents, 10·5% of adults and 15·5% of the elderly. Age was higher in the severe dengue group (P = 0·03). Severe dengue was associated with males and the elderly (P < 0·01); however, considering only severe cases, children presented haemorrhage and plasma leakage more frequently than older age groups. The results emphasize the importance of a differentiated protocol for management of dengue cases, taking into consideration host factors like age. These findings also suggest the elderly and children as priority groups for immunization in a future implementation of a vaccine.
Centre for International Health, Medical Centre of the University of Munich,Munich,Germany.
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CR
Vicente
Department of Social Medicine,Federal University of Espírito Santo,Vitória,Brazil.
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C
Cerutti Junior
Centre for International Health, Medical Centre of the University of Munich,Munich,Germany.
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G
Fröschl
Institute of Tropical Medicine,University of São Paulo,São Paulo,Brazil.
C M
CM
Romano
Coordination of Epidemiological Surveillance,Health Department of Vitória,Vitória,Brazil.
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AS
Cabidelle
Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine,Medical Centre of the University of Munich,Munich,Germany.
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KH
Herbinger
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D003715:Dengue / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
Age groups; severe dengue; sex; signs and symptoms