CLINICAL PROFILE AND MANAGEMENT OF EPISTAXIS IN AL-JUMHORI TEACHING HOSPITAL IN MOSUL

Background: Epistaxis is one of the most common crises seen in otorhinolaryngology practice and a leading cause of hospitalization. Although most cases are self-limiting, others necessitate medical treatment and hospitalization. Understanding the clinical profile and management patterns of epistaxis is critical for improving patient outcomes, especially in resource-limited healthcare settings. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical profile, etiological factors, and management strategies of patients presenting with epistaxis at Al-Jumhori Teaching Hospital in Mosul. Methods: This hospital-based observational study included 250 patients presenting with epistaxis to the Otorhinolaryngology Department at Al-Jumhori Teaching Hospital between March 2024 and February 2026. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire including demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, etiological factors, treatment modalities, and patient outcomes. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 31, and results were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Results: The age of patients ranged from 5 to 82 years, with a mean age of 36.8 ± 18.4 years. Males constituted 63.2% of patients, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.72:1. Anterior epistaxis was the most common type, observed in 79.2% of cases, while posterior epistaxis accounted for 20.8%. Most patients (84.8%) presented with unilateral bleeding. The most frequent cause was idiopathic epistaxis (36%), followed by trauma (18%) and hypertension (16%). Regarding management, anterior nasal packing was the most commonly used treatment (40.8%), followed by conservative treatment (28%) and chemical cauterization (19.2%). Successful control of bleeding was achieved in 91.2% of patients, while 6.4% experienced recurrence and 2.4% required surgical intervention. Conclusion: Epistaxis is a prevalent clinical disorder that affects people of all ages, with the most frequent variety being anterior epistaxis. Most instances are idiopathic and can be efficiently treated with conservative methods including anterior nasal packing.