Noncommunicable disorders (NCDs) that worsen clinical outcomes in Dengue patients include diabetes, renal failure, and hypertension

Introduction:

Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has rapidly spread in many countries worldwide in recent years. Endemic across most provinces, dengue incidence has increased in recent years largely due to the expansion of the vector Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, as well as the movement of people and the introduction of imported cases . All 4 dengue serotypes exist in Nepal, with DENV-1 historically contributing to the highest-burden . Dengue has been identified as one of the emerging neglected tropical disease (NTD) in Nepal. In the last 5 years, the incidence of dengue cases has risen alarmingly. The largest-ever outbreak was reported in 2019. Global warming, unplanned urbanization, increased transportation, and lack of efficient mosquito control are presumably associated with the spread of dengue and its vector.

Equally, Nepal also accounts for some of the highest deaths resulting from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, renal diseases, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, infection, dehydration, hypertension, and nephrotoxic agents/medications always remain on the highest risk factors in people of developing nations .

Statement of Problem:

In developing countries, diabetes, hypertension, and renal failure remain as a prominent risk factor in dengue patients globally. Likewise, the same co-morbidities were found to be important risk factors for death in other dengue epidemics. The study on dengue co-morbidities with NCDs in Nepal is still in a relatively nascent stage, but it is growing. As primary prevention of dengue has had limited success, the prevention of mortality through the identification of risk factors and efficient patient management is of utmost importance. There is an urgent need to evaluate dengue cases for a better understanding of the clinic-laboratory spectrum to combat this disease. Understanding the various risk factor involved in development would provide information to identify individuals at higher risk and on the other hand, give sufficient time to clinicians for reducing dengue related morbidity and mortality.

Conclusion:

It is necessary to conduct proper studies and research that will certainly improve the management of diseases and the avoidance of risk factors in order to reduce disease burdens.

References:

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  • Mallhi, T. H. et al. Clinico-laboratory spectrum of dengue viral infection and risk factors associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever: A retrospective study. BMC Infect. Dis. 15, 1–12 (2015).

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