Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T21:44:16.564Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Is there an association between blood group O and epistaxis?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2017

V M Reddy*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK
M Daniel
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK
E Bright
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK
S R Broad
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK
A A Moir
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr V M Reddy, 226 Avenue Road Extension, Leicester, LE2 3EL, UK. Fax: 0870 123 6196 E-mail: vmreddy@doctors.net.uk

Abstract

Introduction:

Blood group O is associated with lower expression of von Willebrand factor suggesting a relative bleeding tendency. A lower admission rate for epistaxis among Asians compared with Caucasians has also been noted, with one explanation being higher prevalence of blood group O among Caucasians. This study investigates whether blood group O is over-represented in patients admitted with epistaxis.

Methods:

A retrospective study was conducted, using computerised hospital in-patient and blood bank databases to identify Caucasians admitted with epistaxis between January 2000 and December 2005 inclusive. The control group consisted of 500 consecutive patients who had a primary total hip arthroplasty and 500 consecutive patients who gave birth within the delivery suite.

Results:

1261 Caucasians admitted with epistaxis were identified. Among epistaxis patients, 50.44 per cent were blood group O but among the control group this was 45.10 per cent (chi-square test p = 0.008).

Conclusion:

Blood group O appears over-represented in Caucasian patients admitted with epistaxis, compared with the control population, raising the possibility that blood group O is a risk factor for epistaxis.

Type
Main Article
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

Abstract presented at the Otorhinolaryngological Research Society Autumn Meeting, 29 September 2006, Institute of Laryngology and Otology, London, UK.

References

1 Pallin, DJ, Chng, YM, McKay, MP, Emond, JA, Pelletier, AJ, Camargo, CA Jr. Epidemiology of epistaxis in US emergency departments, 1992 to 2001. Ann Emerg Med 2005;46:7781CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
2 Daniel, M, Jaberoo, MC, Stead, RE, Reddy, VM, Moir, AA. Is admission for epistaxis more common in Caucasian than in Asian people? A preliminary study. Clin Otolaryngol 2006;31:386–9CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3 Mourant, AE. Blood relations: Blood groups and anthropology. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1983Google Scholar
4 Favaloro, EJ, Soltani, S, McDonald, J, Grezchnik, E, Easton, L, Favaloro, JW. Reassessment of ABO blood group, sex, and age on laboratory parameters used to diagnose von Willebrand disorder: potential influence on the diagnosis vs the potential association with risk of thrombosis. Am J Clin Pathol 2005;124:910–17CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5 Gill, JC, Endres-Brooks, J, Bauer, PJ, Marks, WJ Jr, Montgomery, RR. The effect of ABO blood group on the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease. Blood 1987;69:1691–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6 Miller, CH, Haff, E, Platt, SJ, Rawlins, P, Drews, CD, Dilley, AB et al. Measurement of von Willebrand factor activity: relative effects of ABO blood type and race. J Thromb Haemost 2003;1:2191–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7 Caekebeke-Peerlinck, KM, Koster, T, Briet, E. Bleeding time, blood groups and von Willebrand factor. Br J Haematol 1989;73:217–20CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8 Koster, T, Blann, AD, Briet, E, Vandenbroucke, JP, Rosendaal, FR. Role of clotting factor VIII in effect of von Willebrand factor on occurrence of deep-vein thrombosis. Lancet 1995;345:152–5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9 Halonen, P, Linko, K, Wirtavuori, K, Hastbacka, J, Ikkala, E. Evaluation of risk factors in intraoperative bleeding tendency. Ann Chir Gynaecol 1987;76:298302Google ScholarPubMed