RESUMEN
Background: Epistaxis is a common clinical condition that ranges from a minor nuisance to a life threatening emergency. It may be a chronic problem or symptom of generalized disorder
Objective: to determine the etiology, risk factors and the outcome of the conservative and surgical management of epistaxis in the studied population
Methods: This is a cross-sectional, community-based survey being directed to the Saudi adult population living in Arar city during the period of October and November 2017. The study instrument is a self-administered, pre-designed questionnaire
Results: The study included 175 epistaxis cases, 39.4% females and 60.6% males, 45.1% were 20-29 years . Hypertension was found in 4.0%, 20% were smokers and 7.4% were ex-smokers. Epistaxis was idiopathic in 56.6% of cases, local injury in 16%, nasal allergy in 8.6%, nasal infection in 7.4%, mucosal irritation in 2.9%, high blood pressure in 2.9%, foreign bodies in 2.2%, nasal tumors in 1.7% and blood dyscrasias in 1.1%. Most [85.1%] of the cases were treated at home and 14.9% in the emergency department of hospitals. Cauterization of bleeding point, employed for only 1.7% of the cases and surgical treatment in only 1.1%
Conclusion: epistaxis was more common in males than females, most cases are idiopathic, local injury and nasal allergy are also considered causes. The majority of epistaxis were not life threatening and can be treated conservatively. Most of the cases were treated at home mainly by pressure on the nose and considerable percentage treated in the emergency department of the hospitals mainly by nasal backing