Clinical profile of dengue hemorrhagic fever cases in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a public health problem in Mexico since 1994. With four serotypes circulating the risk of epidemic dengue hemorrhagic fever is increasing. MATERIAL AND METHODS We describe the clinical features of confirmed cases in the social security health system (IMSS) from 1995 to 2003. Clinical picture and epidemiological features were compared and a multivariate model was fitted to evaluate associations. RESULTS Cases were divided into two groups: 438 patients with dengue fever, including 109 cases with hemorrhagic manifestations without thrombocytopenia, and 977 cases with dengue hemorrhagic fever, including 79 deaths. The main risk factors associated with mortality were hematemesis (RR 2.6; CI 95% 1.4-4.6) and melena (RR 2.2; Cl 95% 1.2-3.7). CONCLUSIONS Our results characterize the clinical profile of dengue hemorrhagic fever cases in Mexico and identify prognostic factors to alert clinician for the prevention of a fatal evolution.