Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Epistaxis is a common emergency presentation to ENT. The 'Epistaxis 2016: national audit of management' collected prospective data over a 30-day audit window in 113 centres. A 30-day all-cause mortality rate of 3.4 per cent was identified. This study examines in more detail the subgroup of patients who died during the audit period. METHODS: There were 985 eligible patients identified. Of these, 33 patients died within the audit period. World Health Organization bleeding score, Modified Early Warning System score, haemostasis time, source of referral, co-morbidities and cause of death were investigated from the dataset. RESULTS: Patients who died were more likely to come from a ward environment, have co-existing cardiovascular disease, diabetes or a bleeding diathesis, be on antithrombotic medication, or have received a blood transfusion. Patients did not die from exsanguination. CONCLUSION: Epistaxis may be seen as a general marker of poor health and a poor prognostic sign.

Original publication

DOI

10.1017/S0022215118002013

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Laryngol Otol

Publication Date

12/2018

Volume

132

Pages

1061 - 1066

Keywords

Clinical Audit, Epistaxis, Hemorrhage, Mortality, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Cause of Death, Epistaxis, Female, Humans, Male, Medical Audit, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Referral and Consultation, Risk Factors