Clinical Profile of Epistaxis in a Tertiary Health Centre: A Retrospective Study

The study conducted, retrospectively analysed epistaxis cases, examined between January 2011 and December 2013 in Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Tamil Nadu, India. The objective was to identify and categorize etiological factors & treatment modalities of epistaxis, and to analyse the significance of age and gender factors in the occurrence of epistaxis by statistical correlation. Of total 230 epistaxis cases, Idiopathic (n=52 cases) accounted for merely 22.6%. Males outnumbered females. Trauma was the most common factor responsible for epistaxis. Age group 21-30 years was most commonly affected (25%). Two cohorts were categorized in this study, Group I (Idiopathic) and Group II (non-idiopathic). The groups were correlated with the age and gender factors and tested for significance with P Value < 0.05 using Chi-Square test. Age is a highly significant factor responsible in determining the etiology of epistaxis.