Occurrence of epistaxis in habitual nose-bleeders and analysis of some etiological factors.

The occurrence of epistaxis in 121 habitual nose-bleeders has been analysed together with the importance of different etiological factors. Heredity for recurrent nose-bleeds was noted by 42% of the bleeders, which was significantly more than in the control group (p less than 0.001). The start of the nose-bleeds was mostly spontaneous. Both common cold and stress or tiredness were frequently experienced before the occurrence of the nose-bleeds. The blood pressure distribution of the habitual nose-bleeders did not differ from that of the population samples used for comparison. Diseases reported by the habitual bleeders were few, and the blood routine tests revealed only few diseases that could be related to the recurrent nose-bleeds.