Identification of dengue patients with high risk of severe disease, using early clinical and laboratory features, in a resource-limited setting.

Only a minority of dengue infections lead to plasma leakage (critical phase [CP]). Early identification of the risk for CP is helpful for triage of patients. This study aimed to identify early clinical predictors of CP that will aid in patient triage during early illness. A retrospective, case-record-based analysis was performed on all microbiologically confirmed (NS1-antigen- or dengue-IgM-antibody-positive), dengue patients (n = 697), admitted to our unit from 01.01.2017 to 30.06.2017. Bivariate analysis was performed to identify clinical and laboratory parameters that predicted CP. Stepwise multivariate logistic regression with backward elimination (p < 0.05) was used to identify independent risk factors for CP. CP developed in 226 (32.4%) patients. Mortality was 1.0%. Predictors for CP (p < 0.05) within the first three days included age category 41-50 years (OR = 1.96), females (OR = 2.09), diabetes (OR = 1.30), persistent vomiting (OR = 2.18), platelet count < 120,000/mm-3 (OR = 1.91) and AST > 60 IU/L (OR = 3.72). On multivariate analysis, other variables except diabetes remained significant. Elevated transaminase levels remained the strongest independent predictor of CP (OR 2.83). The absence of all five risk factors excluded CP (negative predictive value: 97.2%). Age 41-50 years, female gender, persistent vomiting, thrombocytopenia, and elevated transaminases were early predictors of CP in dengue fever. The absence of these can be used to identify patients who may not require hospital admission. Elevated transaminase was the strongest predictor of CP during early illness.

Low-dose melatonin for sleep disturbances in early-stage cirrhosis: A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Melatonin is used to treat sleep disturbances (SDs). The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of low-dose melatonin for SDs in early-stage cirrhosis. METHODS: In a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial, patients with early-stage (Child-Turcotte-Pugh [CTP] class A or B) cirrhosis with SDs, without hepatic encephalopathy, were randomized to placebo or 3 mg of melatonin for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, the patients were given a washout period of 1 week and crossed over to melatonin or placebo for a further 2 weeks. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were used to measure sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, respectively. Analysis of results was based on intention to treat, and linear mixed-effect models were used to evaluate the effect of melatonin. Analysis was conducted using R-programming language 3.5.1. RESULTS: Seventy one patients were recruited (mean age: 61.9 ± 8.7 years, males: 46 [64.8%], and CTP Class A = 52 [73.2%] and Class B = 19 [26.8%]). Sixty patients completed the study (mean age: 61.7 ± 8.8 years, males: 40 [66.6%], and CTP Class A = 45 [75.0%] and Class-B = 15 [25.0%]). Two patients dropped out due to adverse events. Nine patients were lost to follow up. Patients given melatonin had a significantly lower PSQI and ESS compared to both pretreatment (P < 0.001) and postplacebo scores (P < 0.001). Incidence of adverse events was similar (two each of abdominal pain, one each of headache, one each of dizziness) in both groups. CONCLUSION: Melatonin seems safe and effective for use in patients with SDs in early-stage cirrhosis in the short term. However, larger and longer-term studies to assess efficacy and safety are required before its clinical use can be recommended.