Recent studies have suggested a link between antiplatelet medications
and alcohol in the aetiology of acute adult epistaxis. The possibility
that adult epistaxis may be associated with alcohol induced platelet
dysfunction has not previously been investigated. This study evaluated
primary haemostasis in 50 adult patients with idiopathic epistaxis. A
detailed alcohol history was recorded and the Simplate bleeding time
device was used to test haemostatic function. Forty-six per cent of pa
tients were found to have an abnormality of primary haemostasis. Prolo
ngation of the bleeding time was significantly associated with a histo
ry of alcohol use. The effect of alcohol on the bleeding time duration
was significant (P < 0.001) even at low levels of intake of between 1
and 10 units per week. Although prevalent in the study group (42%) th
e use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did not confer a signif
icant additional risk of increased bleeding time. These findings suppo
rt the importance of alcohol induced haemostatic abnormalities in the
aetiology of adult epistaxis.