Epistaxis of patients admitted in the emergency department is not indicative of underlying arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between epistaxis and arterial hypertension.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted in 80 patients admitted in the emergency department, 42 with epistaxis and 38 well-matched controls. Blood pressure was measured upon admission and by continuous 24-hour ambulatory monitoring on the following days.

RESULTS

Estimated values upon admission did not differ between groups. A definitive diagnosis of hypertension was set in 18 patients admitted for epistaxis (42.9%) and in 11 controls (28.9%, p = NS). Systolic pressures during the 24-hour recording period, systolic pressures during day and diastolic pressures during night were significantly higher among patients admitted for epistaxis than among controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Although studies with larger series of patients are mandatory, epistaxis does not seem to result from underlying arterial hypertension.