A recent study published in JAMA Network Open has found a potential link between tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy in early life and an increased risk of stress-related disorders later on. Researchers analyzed data from 1,050,287 children and young adults born in Sweden between 1981 and 2016 to investigate the association.
According to the study, surgical removal of tonsils or adenoids was linked to a higher risk for stress-related disorders, including PTSD, acute stress reaction, and adjustment disorder. The findings suggest that these procedures may increase the likelihood of developing psychiatric disorders later in life.
The researchers found similar associations in both children who underwent surgery and their siblings, indicating an independent effect of tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy on stress-related disorders. The study controlled for various factors such as sex, age at surgery, time since surgery, parental education level, and parental history of stress-related disorders.
However, the researchers acknowledged several limitations to the study, including its registry-based nature and potential residual confounding due to factors not shared between siblings.
The implications of this study are significant, as understanding the causes and risk factors for stress-related disorders is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore possible mechanisms behind the association between tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy and psychiatric disorders.
Source: https://www.healio.com/news/psychiatry/20241218/tonsil-adenoid-removal-in-early-life-may-up-risk-for-stressrelated-disorders-later-on