The Correlation between Platelet Count and Hematocrit concentration in Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever Patients at Moewardi Hospital

Abstract

Background: Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is the most common arbovirus on human, and causes hundreds of deaths every years. Two laboratory criteria used to diagnose this disease are thrombocytopenia and increased hematocrit concentration (hemoconcentration). The purpose of this study is to analyze the correlation between platelet count and hematocrit concentration in DHF patients.

Methods: This research was observational analytic study with cross sectional approach at Moewardi Hospital. Sample was taken from adult DHF cases at Moewardi Hospital. The data was gathered from medical records of patients. Sample selection had been done by checking the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study sample, and the amount of samples in this study was 142 subjects. Variables correlated were platelet count and hematocrit. The data was statistically analyzed using Kolomogorov-Sminov normality test and Pearson correlation test.

Results: Patients age ranging between 18-71 years old, with the mean age was 28 years old. The mean platelet count was 69.000/l. The mean hematocrit concentration was 43%. There was a significantly negative correlation between platelet count and hematocrit concentration in DHF patient, but this correlation was weak (p=0,008; r= -0,222).

Conclusion: There is a significantly negative weak correlation between Platelet Count and Hematocrit concentration in DHF Patients. The lower the platelet count, the hematocrit percentage would be higher.

Keywords: Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever, Platelet Count, Hematocrit