Is Hyperuricemia a Marker of Severity of Disease in Scrub Typhus?

AIMS: To study association of hyperuricemia with severity of scrub typhus.

METHODS: We studied clinical features, laboratory profile, in hospital course and outcome of 92 patients of scrub typhus and association of hyperuricemia with severity of disease.

RESULTS: Of total 92 patients in study group, 66 (71.7%) were females and 26(28.3%) were males. Fever (100%), cough (37%), headache (33%), vomiting (31%), altered sensorium (23%), diarrhea (18%), abdominal pain (16%), myalgia (14%), and seizures (3%) were common clinical features. Eschar was present in 23%. Of total 92 patients 34 (37%) patients had hyperuricemia (HU) and 58 patients had normal serum uric acid levels. The patients of scrub typhus with HU had significantly higher presentation with altered sensorium (35.3%). In HU group, mean TLC, mean serum urea and serum creatinine were higher and mean serum albumin and mean HDL cholesterol were lower than patients of scrub typhus without hyperuricemia. These differences between two groups were statistically significant. Neurological dysfunction, severe sepsis, serum creatinine >3.5mg/dL and involvement of at least single organ was significantly higher in HU group. Total 4 patients (4.3%) died and all had HU.

CONCLUSION: Hyperuricemia in patients of scrub typhus was associated with severe scrub typhus. The serum uric acid levels should be done in early course of all patients suffering from scrub typhus. The patients showing hyperuricemia should be monitored closely for early recognition of complications and management aggressively.