ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Otorinolaringologia 2019 September;69(3):154-8

DOI: 10.23736/S0392-6621.19.02218-5

Copyright © 2019 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Prevalence and pattern of epistaxis in a tertiary health facility in Sokoto, Nigeria

Foluso M. ADEYEYE ✉, Kufre R. ISEH, Daniel ALIYU

Department of Ear Nose and Throat Surgery, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Epistaxis is an otorhinolaryngological emergency that creates anxiety among patients and their relatives. The aim of this study was to determine the current prevalence and pattern of epistaxis in Sokoto, Nigeria.
METHODS: A prospective, hospital-based study of patients with epistaxis that presented from January to December 2017.
RESULTS: The prevalence of epistaxis was 103 (5.6%). It was seen in patients aged 13 to 90 years, with a mean of 36.2±1.7 years. Majority (36, 35.0%) of the patients with epistaxis were age group 13-22 years and a male preponderance of 1.1:1 was obtained. Rhinosinusitis (31, 30.1%) was the most prevalent cause of epistaxis followed by trauma. Recurrent nose bleed (67, 65.0%) was more than first episode (36, 35.0%), while right unilateral epistaxis (47, 45.6%) was more common than left unilateral epistaxis (35, 34.0%) and bilateral epistaxis (21, 20.4%). Hypertension (22, 21.4%) was the most common comorbidity, while aspirin and anticoagulant were drugs commonly taken by patients with epistaxis.
CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that rhinosinusitis is the major cause of epistaxis in the study area. Prompt treatment of this condition will reduce the prevalence of epistaxis.

KEY WORDS: Epistaxis; Sinusitis; Nigeria