Dengue fever is a rapidly emerging mosquito-borne viral infection and a major public health concern in tropical and subtropical regions. Dengue infection is caused by any of four immunologically distinct viral serotypes (DENV-1 to DENV-4), all belonging to the Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family1. The virus is transmitted primarily through the bites of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which proliferate in stagnant water commonly found in crowded urban and peri-urban environments2. Beyond vector transmission, rare cases have been linked to blood transfusion, organ transplantation, and vertical transmission from mother to fetus. From a clinical standpoint, infection can range from asymptomatic illness to severe manifestations such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome, which are associated with increased vascular permeability, plasma leakage, and coagulopathy3. Outbreak risk tends to rise during rainy seasons, when mosquito breeding sites multiply and vector density increases, heightening the chance of widespread transmission4 Globally, dengue incidence has risen sharply, with an estimated 390 million infections annually, of which around 96 million are clinically apparent5. Rapid urbanization, climate change, increased human mobility, and inadequate vector control have facilitated its spread into new geographic areas and contributed to recurrent outbreaks6. A comprehensive understanding of the clinico-epidemiological profile of dengue—including age, gender, geographic distribution, clinical manifestations, and complications—is essential for effective surveillance, risk stratification, and targeted interventions. Region-specific data are particularly valuable for guiding public health strategies, optimizing resource allocation during outbreaks, and improving patient care. This study aims to describe the clinico-epidemiological characteristics of dengue fever,providing insights into demographic patterns, predominant clinical features, and complication rates. The findings are expected to support evidence-based public health planning, enhance early diagnosis, and facilitate timely management, ultimately reducing the burden of dengue in the community.

Study Design: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted to evaluate the clinico-epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with dengue fever providing insight into population-level trends and risk factors . Sample Size: A total of 200 laboratory-confirmed dengue patients were included in the study. Inclusion Criteria: • Patients of any age and gender with confirmed dengue infection (NS1 antigen and/or IgM/IgG serology). • Patients admitted or attending the hospital during the study period. Exclusion Criteria: • Incomplete clinical records or missing laboratory data. • Coexisting severe systemic illnesses or concurrent infections (e.g., malaria, typhoid) that could confound clinical presentation Methodology: Data were collected using a structured proforma, which included demographic information (age, gender, urban/rural residence) and clinical features such as fever, headache, body aches, gastrointestinal symptoms, polyserositis, bleeding manifestations, and shock.. Patients were categorized into age groups of 0–20, 21–40, 41–60, and >60 years. Complications were defined as severe manifestations, including polyserositis, shock, hemorrhagic symptoms, or organ dysfunction. Statistical Analysis: Data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed .Descriptive statistics were used to summarize categorical variables such as gender, age group, geographic distribution, clinical features, and complications. Ethical Approval: The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Bhaskar Medical College. Written informed consent was obtained from adult participants and guardians of minors. All patient records were kept confidential and managed in accordance with ethical guidelines for human research.

Table 1 Gender Gender No. of Patients (%) Male 130 (65 %) Female 70 (35 %) Total 200 (100 %) Gender Distribution: Out of 200 patients included in the study, 130 (65%) were male and 70 (35%) were female, indicating a higher prevalence of dengue among males. Similar findings noted in a study conducted by Nivetha et al7 Table 2 Age Group Age Group No. of Patients (%) 0 – 20 years 74 (37 %) 21 – 40 years 78 (39 %) 41 – 60 years 36 (18 %) > 60 years 12 (6 %) Age Distribution: The age-wise analysis revealed that dengue predominantly affected young adults. The largest proportion of patients, 78 (39%), were in the 21–40 years age group, followed by 74 patients (37%) in the 0–20 years group. Adults aged 41–60 years accounted for 36 patients (18%), while only 12 patients (6%) were above 60 years, suggesting that dengue incidence decreases with advancing age. Similar results were found in a study conducted by Nandini et al8 Table 3 Geography Geography No. of Patients (%) Urban 138 (69 %) Rural 62 (31 %) Geographic Distribution: A majority of the patients, 138 (69%), resided in urban areas, while 62 (31%) were from rural regions. Table 4 Clinical Features Clinical Features No. of Patients (%) Fever 200 (100 %) Headache 178 (89%) Body ache 164 (82 %) Gastro Intestinal Symptoms 94 (47 %) Polyserositis 6 (3 %) Clinical Features: Fever was the most universal symptom, present in all 200 patients (100%). Headache was reported in 178 patients (89%), while body aches were observed in 164 patients (82%). Gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, were noted in 94 patients (47%). Severe manifestations such as polyserositis were rare, occurring in only 6 patients (3%). These findings highlight the predominance of classical dengue symptoms, with severe complications being uncommon. Table 5 Complications Complication No. of Patients (%) Yes 12 (6 %) No 188 (94 %) Total 200 (100 %) Complications: Twelve patients (6%) developed significant complications, while the remaining 188 patients (94%) experienced an uncomplicated course of dengue

Dengue fever remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, with rising incidence in urban populations. This study analyzed the clinico-epidemiological profile of 200 laboratory-confirmed dengue patients, providing insights into demographic trends, clinical features, geographic distribution, and complications. Gender Distribution: In our study, males accounted for 65% of cases, whereas females represented 35%. This male predominance is consistent with several studies from India and Southeast Asia, which report male-to-female ratios ranging from 1.5:1 to 2:19. The higher incidence in males may be attributed to increased outdoor exposure, occupational activities, and differences in health-seeking behavior. However, some studies suggest that biological susceptibility and reporting bias may also play a role. Understanding gender-specific trends is important for targeted awareness campaigns and preventive strategies. Age Distribution: The majority of cases occurred in young adults, with 39% in the 21–40 years age group and 37% in the 0–20 years group. Adults aged 41–60 years and those above 60 years accounted for a smaller proportion (18% and 6%, respectively). These findings align with other Indian studies, which often report higher dengue prevalence among young adults due to increased mobility, outdoor activity, and occupational exposure10. The relatively lower incidence in older adults may be related to preexisting immunity or reduced exposure to mosquito bites. Notably, the significant burden in children and adolescents underscores the need for early recognition and pediatric-focused public health interventions. Geographic Distribution: Our study observed a higher proportion of urban cases (69%) compared to rural areas (31%). Urban predominance has been well-documented in dengue epidemiology11, as dense populations, inadequate sanitation, and widespread water storage create ideal breeding grounds for Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Seasonal patterns, particularly post-monsoon peaks, further exacerbate urban outbreaks. These findings highlight the urgent need for urban-focused vector control measures, including regular inspection and removal of stagnant water sources, community education, and municipal-level interventions. Clinical Features: Fever was observed in all patients (100%), followed by headache (89%) and body aches (82%), consistent with classical dengue presentations. Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in 47% of cases, while severe manifestations like polyserositis were rare (3%). The predominance of febrile illness with mild-to-moderate systemic symptoms mirrors findings from multiple regional and international studies12. However, the presence of gastrointestinal symptoms in nearly half of the patients indicates variability in presentation and highlights the need for careful clinical evaluation to distinguish dengue from other febrile illnesses such as malaria, typhoid, and leptospirosis. Recognizing these clinical patterns enables early diagnosis and timely management, reducing morbidity and preventing complications. Complications: Only 6% of patients developed significant complications, with 94% experiencing uncomplicated dengue. Severe manifestations such as polyserositis were uncommon, suggesting that most cases were self-limiting. Nevertheless, even a small proportion of complicated cases can lead to high morbidity and mortality if not promptly recognized and managed. Early monitoring of warning signs such as persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, bleeding, or hypotension is crucial to prevent progression to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) or Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). Comparison with Other Studies: Our findings are consistent with other Indian studies that report higher dengue prevalence in urban males and young adults, with fever, headache, and myalgia as dominant symptoms. Similar studies also report a low complication rate in most cases, though mortality remains a risk in severe dengue13. Internationally, dengue epidemiology follows comparable trends, with urbanization, climate change, and increased human mobility contributing to rising incidence globally14. Public Health Implications: The study underscores the importance of continuous epidemiological surveillance to monitor trends in dengue incidence, demographics, and seasonal patterns. Urban-focused vector control, community awareness campaigns, and timely clinical interventions are critical to reducing disease burden. Understanding demographic and clinical patterns aids healthcare providers in early risk stratification, prompt treatment, and efficient allocation of resources during outbreaks. Limitations: This study is limited by its single-center design and relatively small sample size, which may not fully represent broader regional or national trends. Seasonal variations were not extensively analyzed, and serotype-specific data were not included. Future multicentric studies with larger cohorts, serotype analysis, and long-term follow-up are recommended to gain comprehensive insights into dengue epidemiology and clinical outcomes.

The study emphasizes the critical need for early clinical recognition, continuous surveillance, and targeted preventive measures, including effective vector control and public awareness campaigns. By providing detailed insights into the demographic, geographic, and clinical profile of dengue, this study aids healthcare providers in prompt diagnosis, risk assessment, and timely management, ultimately contributing to reduced morbidity and improved outcomes in endemic settings.

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