Datos epidemiológicos sobre la epistaxis: estudio hospitalario y revisión de la literatura

INTRODUCTION: Epistaxis is a very frequent process, but its incidence and prevalence in the general population is difficult to calculate because only a 10 % of these patients look for medical care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 279 patients with epistaxis sent to ENT specialist from emergency room for one year. RESULTS: Epistaxis was 13.3 % of ENT emergencies. The incidence was 6 cases / 10,000. Female/male ratio was 0.6:1. Mean age was 49.9 yo. (SD=24.54), and patients older than 50 yo. were the most common group in our series (57.3%). A seasonal variation was observed. The incidence of posterior epistaxis increased in a characteristic way from fourth decade. We obtained an 18% of rebleeding index, with age and location being as significant factors. Hospitalization was needed in 7.5 % of the patients. DISCUSSION: We discuss the possible reasons for male predominance, seasonal incidence, and the advanced age of the patients with epistaxis coming to our hospitals. Our reported data refer to patients sent to us but not to all of the epistaxis cases, since an indeterminate number was resolved at other levels of attendance.