Diagnostic criteria in Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever disease and cost analysis

Abstract

In recent years, Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever disease (CCHF) has created a serious health problem in our country. The disease takes place among haemorrhagic viral diseases. This study was made with CCHF diagnosed patients accepted in emergency services to determine the diagnostic criteria and cost effectivness for CCHF. CCHF patients who were accepted in our emergency service between 2004 and 2008 were analyzed retrospectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive value was calculated only for the patients who had 5 pathological laboratory parameters together (thromobcytopenia, high LDH, AST, ALT and CPK), and cost effectiveness analysis was made. During the five-year period, 687 patients had been evaluated. Significant pathologic results were established for alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), creatine phosphokinase (CPK) enzymes, platelet counts and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Fatigue, fever, bleeding, gastro intestinal symptoms and diffuse pain were the symptoms seen according to their frequencies. The patients were frequently admitted in July. Mortality, costs per patient and emergency service's crowdedness can be reduced by rapid diagnosis which can easily be made with a brief history of the patient's occupation, physical examination and mentioned laboratory results sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive value.