Familial and Environmental Risk Predisposition in Tonsillectomy: A Case–Control Study

Abstract

Background

Tonsillectomy is one of the most commonly performed procedures among children and it is the gold standard management to reduce episodes of tonsillitis and obstructive symptoms. Many studies showed a significantly higher incidence of previous tonsillectomy in the parents and siblings. This study investigated the influence of familial and environmental trends in tonsillectomy.

Methods

Retrospectively, we identified those patients who underwent tonsillectomy (the case group). Also, a control group of participants attending the hospital as visitors who had not undergone tonsillectomy was collected. Both groups are compared using the proper statistical tests.

Results

This study included 1,232 participants; 615 underwent tonsillectomy (cases) and 617 did not (controls). It was found that paternal and maternal history of tonsillectomy, childhood asthma, and daycare attendance are independent factors influencing tonsillectomy in the offspring. Of about 85.4% of fathers who underwent tonsillectomy their children will also have tonsillectomy. Also, regarding the maternal history, 72.5% of offspring will have tonsillectomy if the mothers underwent the procedure.

Conclusion

This study reveals that genetic predisposition factors may have a role for tonsillectomy and its underlying causative indications. Also, it highlights the importance of asthma control in children. Moreover, the role of ethnicity may be minimal due to the similar trend of this study with other studies. Further studies and prospective research are recommended.

Keywords:

• tonsillectomy
• tonsillitis
• family history
• asthma

Ethical Approval

Institutional approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board at Jordan University of Science and Technology. This study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. There was no need for written consents due to the retrospective nature of the study. We confirm that the privacy of the participants was preserved, and the data was anonymized and maintained with confidentiality. The patient data accessed complied with relevant data protection and privacy regulations.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

The authors have not declared any grant for this work from any funding authority.