Clinical Epidemiology of Dengue and COVID-19 Co-infection Among the Residents in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2021-2023: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND

Co-infection of dengue and COVID-19 has increased the health burden worldwide. We found a significant knowledge gap in epidemiology and risk factors of co-infection in Bangladesh.

METHODS

This study included 2458 participants from Dhaka city from 1 December 2021 to November 30 2023. We performed the Kruskal-Wallis test and χ2 test. Multivariable logistic regression was also performed.

RESULTS

Co-infection of dengue and COVID-19 was found among 31% of the participants. Coprevalence of dengue and COVID-19 was found in higher frequency in Jatrabari (14%) and Motijhil (11%). Severe (65%, P = .001) and very severe (78%, P = .005) symptoms were prevalent among the participants aged >50 years. Long-term illness was prevalent among the participants with co-infection (35%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 33-36) and COVID-19 (28%; 95% CI, 26-30). Co-infected participants had a higher frequency of heart damage (31.6%, P = .005), brain fog (22%, P = .03), and kidney damage (49.3%, P = .001). Fever (100%) was the most prevalent symptom followed by weakness (89.6%), chills (82.4%), fatigue (81.4%), headache (80.6%), feeling thirsty (76.3%), myalgia (75%), pressure in the chest (69.1%), and shortness of breath (68.3%), respectively. Area of residence (odds ratio [OR], 2.26; 95% CI, 1.96-2.49, P = .01), number of family members (OR, 1.45; 95% CI ,1.08-1.87; P <.001), and population density (OR, 2.43; 95% CI, 2.15-3.01; P = .001) were associated with higher odds of co-infection. We found that coinfected participants had a 4 times higher risk of developing severe health conditions (OR, 4.22; 95% CI, 4.11-4.67; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

This is one of the early epidemiologic studies of co-infection of dengue and COVID-19 in Bangladesh.