Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (Jul 2020)
Familial and Environmental Risk Predisposition in Tonsillectomy: A Case–Control Study
Abstract
Majid Bani-Ata,1 Abdelwahab Aleshawi,2 Maulla Alali,1 Yazan Kanaan,1 Wala Al-Momani,1 Nadia Kanaan,2 Khalid Abdalla,3 Ala’’a Alhowary4 1Otolaryngology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; 2Intern, King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; 3Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan; 4Anesthesia Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, JordanCorrespondence: Majid Bani-AtaDepartment of Special Surgery, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box: 3030, Irbid 22110, JordanEmail [email protected]: 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