Abstract
BACKGROUND: Until recently, severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS)-related disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) had not been elucidated. This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics and outcomes of DIC in patients with SFTS. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with SFTS who were admitted to Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from August 2016 to October 2023 were included. Patients' demographics and clinical data were collected. According to the presence of DIC, they were assigned into the DIC and non-DIC groups. Independent risk factors for prognosis were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 246 consecutive patients diagnosed with SFTS were enrolled, including 216 (87.8%) patients in the non-DIC group and 30 (12.2%) patients in the DIC group. ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, LDH, creatinine, cystatin-C, amylase, lipase, CK, CK-MB, troponin I, BNP, PT, PTA, APTT, TT, FDP, D-dimer, CRP, procalcitonin, IL-6, SAA, ESR, ferritin levels, and viral load were significantly higher in patients with DIC. The cumulative survival rate of patients with DIC was significantly lower than that of patients without DIC. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the presence of DIC was an independent risk factor for in-hospital mortality of patients with SFTS. CONCLUSION: DIC is a potential complication and is associated with high mortality in patients with SFTS. Early recognition and timely management of this serious complication are important for patients with SFTS.