Distant complications of chronic tonsillitis

Abstract

Introduction. Chronic tonsillitis is a persistent inflammation of the palatine tonsils, often marked by recurrent acute episodes of tonsils inflammation, known as angina. While the condition primarily affects the throat, the consequences of chronic tonsillitis extend beyond the immediate site of infection, leading to distant complications, such as arthritis, glomerulonephritis or other related conditions. Aim of study. This review aims to highlight the incidence of the most commonly encountered distant chronic complication that may arise in this infection. Methods and materials. We have analyzed the medical records of those patients who were hospitalized in the IMSP Institute of the Mother and Child Clinic ,,Emilian Cotaga,, between 20212023, focusing on individuals diagnosed with chronic tonsillitis. Results. In the selection process, we identified patients who developed complications. This detailed approach has allowed us to highlight factors such as gender distribution, the impact of the living environment of the condition, and the type of complications encountered. One thousand eighty-nine (1089) patients were collected during this period, 717 (65.8%) of them were with uncomplicated tonsillitis, 372 (34.2%) with complication, female – 243 (65.3%) and boys – 129 (34.7%), urban – 539 (49.5%), rural – 550 (50.5%) . The complications observed in this study varied, with reactive arthritis – 187 (50.2%) being the most prevalent, followed by rheumatic fever – 123 (33.1%) and poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis – 62 (16.7%). Conclusion. Our study on chronic tonsillitis aimed to illuminate the incidence of its most prevalent distant complications. The timely identification of distant complications associated with chronic tonsillitis in children and the implementation of a tonsillectomy are essential measures that can prevent serious consequences such as disability. At the same time, they can significantly contribute to improving the quality of their life. by recurrent acute episodes of tonsils inflammation, known as angina. While the condition primarily affects the throat, the consequences of chroni c tonsillitis extend beyond the immediate site of infection, leading to distant complications, such as arthritis, glomerulonephritis or other related conditions. Aim of study. This review aims to highlight the incidence of the most c ommonly encountered distant chronic complication that may arise in this in fection. Methods and materials. We have analyzed the medical records of those patients who were hospitalized in the IMSP Institute of the Mother and Chil d Clinic “Emilian Cotaga“ between 20212023, focusing on individuals diagnosed with chronic tonsillitis . Results. In the selection process, we identified patients who dev eloped complications. This detailed approach has allowed us to highlight factors such as gen der distribution, the impact of the living environment of the condition, and the type of complic ations encountered. One thousand eighty-nine (1089) patients were collected during this period, 717 (65.8%) of them were with uncomplicated tonsillitis, 372 (34.2%) with complication, female – 243 (65.3%) and boys – 129 (34.7%), urban – 539 (49.5%), rural – 550 (50.5%) . The complicatio ns observed in this study varied, with reactive arthritis – 187 (50.2%) being the most prevalent, followed by rheumatic fever – 123 (33.1%) and poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis – 62 (16. 7%). Conclusion. Our study on chronic tonsillitis aimed to illuminate the incide nce of its most prevalent distant complications. The timely identification of di stant complications associated with chronic tonsillitis in children and the implementation of a tonsill ectomy are essential measures that can prevent serious consequences such as disability. At the s ame time, they can significantly contribute to improving the quality of their life.