Immature Platelet Fraction: A Novel Hematological Parameter for Predicting Prognosis in Dengue Patients

Abstract

Objective: Therefore, the aim of our study is to evaluate IPF as an early recovery indicator of platelet count in dengue patients with thrombocytopenia.  

Methodology: This study was conducted at Chughtai Institute of Pathology, Lahore from October 2022 till December 2023. A total of 199 patients, with NS1 antigen were included in the study. Immature platelet fraction (IPF) and total platelet count were measured by Sysmex XN 1000 on day 1 and day 5 of the infection. IPF and its co relation with platelet count on day 1 and day 5 of infection was analyzed. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 23.00. Paired sample t-Test was used to assess correlation between the two main variables.

Results: Out of 199 patients, 104 (52.3%) were males and 95 (47.7%) were females. Mean age of the patients was 39 years. There was a strong correlation between IPF values and the recovery of total platelets. IPF values tended to be higher at low values of platelet counts (p<0.001) at Day 1 whereas IPF decreased on Day 5 with an increase in platelet count showing statistically significant correlation

Conclusion: IPF is a good prognostic marker for recovery of platelets in DENV infection. It is a reliable and cost-effective tool that can help clinicians avoid unnecessary platelet transfusion.