Comparative Study of Thrombocytopenia in Plasmodium Vivax and Falciparum Malaria

Completed

• Conditions: Malaria; Plasmodium Vivax Infection; Plasmodium Falciparum Infection; Thrombocytopenia

• Registration Number: NCT07122232
• Lead Sponsor: Rafiullah Hotak

Brief Summary

This study aimed to compare platelet count patterns in patients infected with either Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium falciparum, the two most common malaria species in Pakistan. Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) is a common complication of malaria and can help in identifying disease severity. We conducted this research at a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan, from April to September 2023. A total of 171 adult patients with confirmed malaria infections were enrolled. We measured their platelet counts at admission, day 3, and day 7, and analyzed the severity and progression of thrombocytopenia. The study found that while P. vivax was more common, P. falciparum was more likely to cause severe thrombocytopenia. Understanding these differences helps healthcare providers identify high-risk patients earlier and manage malaria more effectively. The study was approved by the institutional review board of Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-04-01
• Primary Completion: 2023-09-30
• Study Completion: 2023-09-30
• Status Verified: 2025-08
• Study First Submitted: 2025-08-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-08-07
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-08-07
• Study First Posted: 2025-08-14
• Last Update Posted: 2025-08-14

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 177

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 18 years or older
• Microscopically confirmed infection with Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium falciparum
• Provided written informed consen

Exclusion Criteria

• Mixed-species malaria infection
• Known hematologic disorders
• Chronic liver disease
• Recent blood transfusion
• Use of anticoagulant medication
• Incomplete parasitemia data or lost to follow-up

Study & Design

• Study Type: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Proportion of patients with thrombocytopenia	0 days	The percentage of patients with platelet counts \<50×10³/µL at admission, compared between the P. vivax and P. falciparum groups.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Platelet count recovery over time	Day 0 to Day 7	Change in mean platelet count at admission, day 3, and day 7, for each group.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Lady Reading Hospital, Medical Teaching Institution; 🇵🇰 Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan