Document Type : Original articles
Author
Department of Surgery/Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, University of Anbar, Anbar, Iraq.
Abstract
Background: Epistaxis is a common condition in daily clinical practice and is presented either in emergency units or outpatient otolaryngology clinic. There is no relevant local study regarding its prevalence and clinical profile.
Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and demographic and clinical profile of patients with epistaxis.
Materials and methods: We prospectively reviewed the patients with epistaxis during the year 2021. Detailed information regarding every subject's demographic and clinical aspects was registered and analyzed.
Results: Of the 6645 patients visiting the private clinic, 344 (5.2%) had epistaxis. The highest proportion of patients was registered in June (12.5%). There were 53.5% males, 48.3% from the age group 11-18 years, and 80.02% lived inside the city. Around 60% were presented within 1-2 days from the bleeding onset. Unilateral epistaxis was seen in 74.4% of the cases (143 from the right and 113 from the left side). The majority of bleeding was from the anterior part (97.1%) and with mild form (96.5%). About 80% of the subjects had recurrent attacks of epistaxis. Early presentation (1-2 days) was seen more in the age group > 50 years (9/12), bleeding from the posterior part (10/10), severe epistaxis (11/12), patients with the first attack of bleeding (77%), and with idiopathic (19.77%) cause (P-value < 0.05). The majority of the cases (84.3%) were treated conservatively.
Conclusion: The prevalence of epistaxis was 5.2%. June registered the highest cases of bleeding. The age group of 11-18 years and males were mostly affected. The age, site, severity, cause, and patient with the first attack were significantly affected the presentation time. Conservative treatment was effective in the majority of cases.
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