Clinical and haematological correlates of severe dengue using 2023 epidemic data: A multicentre tertiary hospital-based analysis from Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract Background Dengue fever, caused by the dengue virus (DENV), is a significant public health threat in tropical and subtropical regions. The 2023 outbreak in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, resulted in over 321,000 reported cases and 1,705 deaths, highlighting the urgent need for understanding factors associated with disease severity. Methods This multi-center, hospital-based study analyzed 466 laboratory-confirmed dengue cases admitted to four tertiary hospitals in Dhaka during the peak epidemic period (September 1 to October 31, 2023). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Cases were categorized based on severity, and statistical analyses were performed to identify predictors of severe dengue. Results Severe dengue was associated with older age (OR = 1.77; p