Investigation of the efficacy and safety of eltrombopag to correct thrombocytopenia in moderate to severe dengue patients - a phase II randomized controlled clinical trial

BackgroundThe dengue-infected patients with or without hemorrhagic manifestations, typically exhibit moderate to severe thrombocytopenia. A thrombopoietin receptor agonist – eltrombopag has been efficacious in correcting thrombocytopenia in patients with various pathological conditions including immune thrombocytopenia, chronic liver disease, and severe aplastic anemia. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of eltrombopag to correct dengue-mediated thrombocytopenia.MethodsIn this open-label, randomized controlled phase-II trial, patients with dengue fever (DF) and dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) having platelet (PLT) count lower than 100 × 109/L without comorbidity, pregnancy, and liver abnormalities were enrolled in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Better Life Hospital and AMZ hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Between October 10, 2019, and December 30, 2019, 123 DF and DHF patients were assessed for eligibility to be…