TY - JOUR
T1 - Usefulness and applicability of the revised dengue case classification by disease: multi-centre study in 18 countries
AU - Barniol, Judit
AU - Gaczkowski, Roger
AU - Barbato, Eliana Vega
AU - Cunha, Rivaldo V da
AU - Salgado, Doris
AU - Martinez, Eric
AU - Segarra, Carmita Soria
AU - Sandoval, Ernesto B Pleites
AU - Mishra, Ajay
AU - Laksono, Ida Safitri
AU - Lum, Lucy CS
AU - Martinez, Jose G
AU - Nunez, Andrea
AU - Balsameda, Angel
AU - Allende, Ivan
AU - Ramirez, Gladys
AU - Dimaano, Efren
AU - Thomacheck, Kay
AU - Akbar, Naeema A
AU - Ooi, Eng E
AU - Villegas, Elci
AU - Hien, Tran T
AU - Farrar, Jeremy
AU - Horstick, Olaf
AU - Kroeger, Axel
AU - Jaenisch, Thomas
PY - 2011/4/21
Y1 - 2011/4/21
N2 - BackgroundIn view of the long term discussion on the appropriateness of the dengue classification into dengue fever (DF), dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), the World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined in its new global dengue guidelines a revised classification into levels of severity: dengue fever with an intermediary group of "dengue fever with warning sings", and severe dengue. The objective of this paper was to compare the two classification systems regarding applicability in clinical practice and surveillance, as well as user-friendliness and acceptance by health staff. MethodsA mix of quantitative (prospective and retrospective review of medical charts by expert reviewers, formal staff interviews), semi-quantitative (open questions in staff interviews) and qualitative methods (focus group discussions) were used in 18 countries. Quality control of data collected was undertaken by external monitors. ResultsThe applicability of the DF/DHF/DSS classification was limited, even when strict DHF criteria were not applied (13.7% of dengue cases could not be classified using the DF/DHF/DSS classification by experienced reviewers, compared to only 1.6% with the revised classification). The fact that some severe dengue cases could not be classified in the DF/DHF/DSS system was of particular concern. Both acceptance and perceived user-friendliness of the revised system were high, particularly in relation to triage and case management. The applicability of the revised classification to retrospective data sets (of importance for dengue surveillance) was also favourable. However, the need for training, dissemination and further research on the warning signs was highlighted. ConclusionsThe revised dengue classification has a high potential for facilitating dengue case management and surveillance.
AB - BackgroundIn view of the long term discussion on the appropriateness of the dengue classification into dengue fever (DF), dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS), the World Health Organization (WHO) has outlined in its new global dengue guidelines a revised classification into levels of severity: dengue fever with an intermediary group of "dengue fever with warning sings", and severe dengue. The objective of this paper was to compare the two classification systems regarding applicability in clinical practice and surveillance, as well as user-friendliness and acceptance by health staff. MethodsA mix of quantitative (prospective and retrospective review of medical charts by expert reviewers, formal staff interviews), semi-quantitative (open questions in staff interviews) and qualitative methods (focus group discussions) were used in 18 countries. Quality control of data collected was undertaken by external monitors. ResultsThe applicability of the DF/DHF/DSS classification was limited, even when strict DHF criteria were not applied (13.7% of dengue cases could not be classified using the DF/DHF/DSS classification by experienced reviewers, compared to only 1.6% with the revised classification). The fact that some severe dengue cases could not be classified in the DF/DHF/DSS system was of particular concern. Both acceptance and perceived user-friendliness of the revised system were high, particularly in relation to triage and case management. The applicability of the revised classification to retrospective data sets (of importance for dengue surveillance) was also favourable. However, the need for training, dissemination and further research on the warning signs was highlighted. ConclusionsThe revised dengue classification has a high potential for facilitating dengue case management and surveillance.
U2 - 10.1186/1471-2334-11-106
DO - 10.1186/1471-2334-11-106
M3 - Article
SN - 1471-2334
VL - 11
JO - BMC Infectious Diseases
JF - BMC Infectious Diseases
M1 - 106
ER -
