Liver enzymes and hematological parameters in dengue patients treated at the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security in Manta

Abstract

Dengue is a public health disease transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes genus that affect both children and adults, with its four serotypes capable of causing mild or severe infections. The objective of this research was to analyze the impact of liver enzymes and hematological parameters in dengue patients treated at the Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security in Manta. The study employed a non-experimental, retrospective, analytical, and cross-sectional methodology in a population of 162 patients, applying non-probabilistic sampling with exclusion criteria, resulting in a final sample of 150 patients. Data anonymization was always maintained, and for a more precise analysis, the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 was used. The results revealed that the male population within the age range of 1–16 years was the most affected, presenting symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and headache. Furthermore, the frequency of hepatic alterations was most significant in Aspartate Aminotransferase (83.3%) and Alanine Aminotransferase (45.3%). Hematological analyses only reflected the presence of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. According to these findings, no significant association was identified between hepatic and hematological alterations in most patients diagnosed with dengue. It was concluded that the most affected group was young males, in whom viral infection does not always result in hepatic or hematological damage, showing no significant correlation between these parameters and dengue.