[Predictors of spontaneous bleeding in dengue patients: a systematic review of the literature].

Spontaneous bleeding is a frequent complication in dengue patients and it is associated with increased mortality. In order to identify predictors of spontaneous hemorrhages in dengue, a systematic revision of literature was performed using the data base of PubMed. The available data has been obtained from cross sectional, cases and controls and retrospective cohort studies. In these studies, thrombocytopenia and alterations of coagulation mechanisms have been the variables more frequently associated to bleeding in dengue. Other manifestations like tourniquet test, changes of blood pressure, pleural effusion and hepatic alterations, among others, have also been suggested as potential predictors of spontaneous hemorrhages. In this article, available evidence is discussed and the author suggests evaluating these results in prospective cohort studies.