Factors associated with hospitalization in the acute phase of Chikungunya

Abstract

Objective Determine characteristics associated with hospitalization in the acute phase of Chikungunya. Methods Cross-sectional study including data on Chikungunya cases reported in Vitória, Espírito Santo state, Brazil, between March 2016 and December 2021. Results Hospitalizations accounted for 1.42% (n = 41) of the 2,868 cases included. There were statistically significant differences between hospitalized and non-hospitalized regarding age (P 0.001), which was lower among hospitalized patients, and pregnancy, which was more frequent in the hospitalized group (P 0.010). Patients younger than two years old and older than 65 years corresponded to 31.7% of hospitalizations. Back pain (OR = 0.134; 95% CI = 0.044–0.409) and arthralgia (OR = 0.226; 95% CI = 0.083–0.613) were protective factors for hospitalization. Conclusion Groups at risk of severe Chikungunya, including those under two and over 65 years of age, may require more hospitalization, even with milder manifestations.