A systematic review of ultrasound to predict severe disease in patients with dengue and other viral infections associated with hemorrhagic fevers.
Daniel Z Hodson, Renato A Tambelli, Mahathar A Wahab et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated ultrasound findings in patients with viral infections associated with hemorrhagic fevers (VaHFs) to predict severe disease. Analyzing 56 studies with 6,979 participants, the review found that ultrasound findings such as pericardial effusions were associated with severe disease. The study highlights the potential of ultrasound in assessing disease severity in VaHFs.
Key findings
- Ultrasound findings included gallbladder wall thickening, ascites, and pleural effusions.
- Pericardial effusions and other ultrasound findings were associated with severe disease.
- The review included 56 publications with a total of 6,979 participants.
- High degree of heterogeneity was noted among the studies.
Why it matters
Understanding ultrasound findings in VaHFs can enhance clinical decision-making and improve patient management by identifying those at risk for severe disease. This could lead to timely interventions and better outcomes in affected populations.
What to keep in mind
The review relied on a single database and had a high degree of heterogeneity among studies, with a focus on in-hospital patients during high-transmission periods.