JAMA Netw Open
Surgical removal of tonsils or adenoids linked to increased stress-related disorders in youth
Study design: This cohort study used Swedish nationwide population and health registry data of individuals born between January 1, 1981, and December 31, 2016. Researchers compared 83,957 individuals who underwent tonsil or adenoid removal (exposed group) with 839,570 unrelated unexposed individuals matched by sex, birth year, and calendar date at the start of follow-up (population-matched cohort). Additionally, it included 51,601 exposed individuals and 75,159 unexposed full siblings (sibling-matched cohort).
Results: Exposed individuals had a higher risk of stress-related disorders (HR, 1.43), particularly PTSD (HR, 1.55). The results were consistent in the sibling-matched cohort (HR, 1.34 for any stress-related disorder; HR, 1.41 for PTSD).
Impact on clinical practice: The findings highlight the importance of being aware of potential long-term psychiatric risks when considering adenotonsillectomy for young patients. Understanding the mechanisms linking adenotonsillar diseases and their surgical treatment to stress-related psychiatric disorders remains an area for further research.
Source:
Xiao X, et al. (2024, December 2). JAMA Netw Open. Stress-Related Disorders Among Young Individuals With Surgical Removal of Tonsils or Adenoids. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39652346/