A retrospective study on etiology and management of epistaxis in elderly patients

Background: Epistaxis is a symptom which is often benign and nonspecific, but it may be a life threatening in elderly patients. Aim and Objective: The aim was to diagnose the underlying etiology of epistaxis in the elderly patients and identify definite management protocol to reduce the morbidity. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study of admitted elderly patients with epistaxis was carried out for the period of January 2005 to January 2014 in the Department of ENT at a tertiary care referral center in North East India. All the patients with epistaxis were retrospectively analyzed for gender distribution, etiology, and their initial and consequent management. Results: M:F = 2.6:1, hypertension was seen as the most common etiology (59.2%), followed by local cause like trauma (16.4%). Initial management with merocele application (50%) and anterior nasal packing (36.2%) were done in most of the cases and anemia was an important associated sign in 73% of patients. Conclusion: Hypertension on irregular treatment is an important underlying etiology of epistaxis in the elderly patients and comprehensive systemic management with medications should be done, including initial local control measures by nasal packing. Coexisting anemia in epistaxis should be treated to reduce any future complications.