Effect of vitamin E on thrombocytopenia in dengue fever

Abstract

Context: Dengue fever frequently causes thrombocytopenia for which there is no satisfactory treatment. Aim: To evaluate the effect of vitamin E on thrombocytopenia in dengue fever. Settings and Design: A tertiary teaching hospital during a recent outbreak of dengue fever in the area. Materials and Methods: Patients of dengue fever (as per WHO criteria) with thrombocytopenia and platelet counts between 10 × 10 3 /mm 3 and 100 × 10 3 /mm 3 seen during September 1, 2010 to November 30, 2010 were enrolled. After detailed history and clinical evaluation, the patients were randomized to two groups - group I which received vitamin E 400 mg (Evion, Merck) once daily along with standard treatment and group II which received standard treatment only. The platelet counts, bleeding manifestations, requirement for platelet transfusion were serially monitored for up to 1 week in these cases. Statistical Analysis Used: Percentage, mean, standard error of mean, Mann-Whitney U test, and Chi-square test. Results: We enrolled 66 cases (group I - 33 and group II - 33). Mean platelet count at baseline in both the groups was similar (group I - 28.39 +- 1.61 × 10 3 /mm 3 and group II - 27.64 +- 1.65 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) (P > 0.05). We observed that the mean platelet count on day 4 in group I (vitamin E) was significantly higher (Mean - 122.19 +- 9.98 × 10 3 /mm 3 ; CI 95% -102.63 × 10 3 /mm 3 - 141.76 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) than in group II (Mean - 92.57 +- 7.93 × 10 3 /mm 3 ; CI 95% - 77.03 × 10 3 /mm 3 - 108.11 × 10 3 /mm 3 ) (P = 0.0436). Similar findings were also observed on day 7 in the two groups. Platelet transfusion was required in less cases in group I [2 out of 33 (6.06%)] as compared to group II [5 out of 33 (15.15%)]. Conclusion: We conclude that vitamin E is beneficial in thrombocytopenia in dengue fever and results in faster increase in the platelet counts.