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Wilson JA, Fouweather T, Stocken DD, Homer T, Haighton C, Rousseau N, O'Hara J, Vale L, Wilson R, Carnell S, Wilkes S, Morrison J, Ah-See K, Carrie S, Hopkins C, Howe N, Hussain M, Lindley L, MacKenzie K, McSweeney L, Mehanna H, Raine C, Whelan RS, Sullivan F, von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff A, Teare D. Tonsillectomy compared with conservative management in patients over 16 years with recurrent sore throat: the NATTINA RCT and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess 2023; 27:1-195. [PMID: 38204203 PMCID: PMC11017150 DOI: 10.3310/ykur3660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The place of tonsillectomy in the management of sore throat in adults remains uncertain. Objectives To establish the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tonsillectomy, compared with conservative management, for tonsillitis in adults, and to evaluate the impact of alternative sore throat patient pathways. Design This was a multicentre, randomised controlled trial comparing tonsillectomy with conservative management. The trial included a qualitative process evaluation and an economic evaluation. Setting The study took place at 27 NHS secondary care hospitals in Great Britain. Participants A total of 453 eligible participants with recurrent sore throats were recruited to the main trial. Interventions Patients were randomised on a 1 : 1 basis between tonsil dissection and conservative management (i.e. deferred surgery) using a variable block-stratified design, stratified by (1) centre and (2) severity. Main outcome measures The primary outcome measure was the total number of sore throat days over 24 months following randomisation. The secondary outcome measures were the number of sore throat episodes and five characteristics from Sore Throat Alert Return, describing severity of the sore throat, use of medications, time away from usual activities and the Short Form questionnaire-12 items. Additional secondary outcomes were the Tonsil Outcome Inventory-14 total and subscales and Short Form questionnaire-12 items 6 monthly. Evaluation of the impact of alternative sore throat patient pathways by observation and statistical modelling of outcomes against baseline severity, as assessed by Tonsil Outcome Inventory-14 score at recruitment. The incremental cost per sore throat day avoided, the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year gained based on responses to the Short Form questionnaire-12 items and the incremental net benefit based on costs and responses to a contingent valuation exercise. A qualitative process evaluation examined acceptability of trial processes and ramdomised arms. Results There was a median of 27 (interquartile range 12-52) sore throats over the 24-month follow-up. A smaller number of sore throats was reported in the tonsillectomy arm [median 23 (interquartile range 11-46)] than in the conservative management arm [median 30 (interquartile range 14-65)]. On an intention-to-treat basis, there were fewer sore throats in the tonsillectomy arm (incident rate ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.43 to 0.65). Sensitivity analyses confirmed this, as did the secondary outcomes. There were 52 episodes of post-operative haemorrhage reported in 231 participants undergoing tonsillectomy (22.5%). There were 47 re-admissions following tonsillectomy (20.3%), 35 relating to haemorrhage. On average, tonsillectomy was more costly and more effective in terms of both sore throat days avoided and quality-adjusted life-years gained. Tonsillectomy had a 100% probability of being considered cost-effective if the threshold for an additional quality-adjusted life year was £20,000. Tonsillectomy had a 69% probability of having a higher net benefit than conservative management. Trial processes were deemed to be acceptable. Patients who received surgery were unanimous in reporting to be happy to have received it. Limitations The decliners who provided data tended to have higher Tonsillectomy Outcome Inventory-14 scores than those willing to be randomised implying that patients with a higher burden of tonsillitis symptoms may have declined entry into the trial. Conclusions The tonsillectomy arm had fewer sore throat days over 24 months than the conservative management arm, and had a high probability of being considered cost-effective over the ranges considered. Further work should focus on when tonsillectomy should be offered. National Trial of Tonsillectomy IN Adults has assessed the effectiveness of tonsillectomy when offered for the current UK threshold of disease burden. Further research is required to define the minimum disease burden at which tonsillectomy becomes clinically effective and cost-effective. Trial registration This trial is registered as ISRCTN55284102. Funding This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: 12/146/06) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 27, No. 31. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet A Wilson
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Tony Fouweather
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Deborah D Stocken
- Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Tara Homer
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Catherine Haighton
- Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Nikki Rousseau
- Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - James O'Hara
- Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Luke Vale
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rebecca Wilson
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sonya Carnell
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Scott Wilkes
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK
| | | | - Kim Ah-See
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Sean Carrie
- Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Claire Hopkins
- Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Department, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Nicola Howe
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | | | - Kenneth MacKenzie
- Department of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lorraine McSweeney
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Hisham Mehanna
- Institute of Head and Neck Studies and Education, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Christopher Raine
- Ear, Nose and Throat Department, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Ruby Smith Whelan
- Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Frank Sullivan
- Population and Behavioural Science Division, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK
| | | | - Dawn Teare
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
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Hackenberg B, Büttner M, Schöndorf M, Strieth S, Schramm W, Matthias C, Gouveris H. Quality of Life Assessment for Tonsillar Infections and Their Treatment. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58050589. [PMID: 35630006 PMCID: PMC9145041 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58050589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Tonsillar infections are a common reason to see a physician and lead to a reduction in the patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL may be an important criterion in decision science and should be taken into account when deciding when to perform tonsillectomy, especially for chronic tonsillitis. The aim of this study was to determine the health utility for different states of tonsillar infections. Materials and Methods: Hospitalized patients with acute tonsillitis or a peritonsillar abscess were asked about their HRQoL with the 15D questionnaire. Patients who had undergone tonsillectomy were reassessed six months postoperatively. Results: In total, 65 patients participated in the study. The health states of acute tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess had both a utility of 0.72. Six months after tonsillectomy, the mean health utility was 0.95. Conclusions: Our study confirms a substantial reduction in utility due to tonsillar infections. Tonsillectomy significantly improves the utility and therefore HRQoL six months after surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Hackenberg
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (M.S.); (C.M.); (H.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Matthias Büttner
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics (IMBEI), University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Michelle Schöndorf
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (M.S.); (C.M.); (H.G.)
| | - Sebastian Strieth
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), 53127 Bonn, Germany;
| | - Wendelin Schramm
- GECKO Institute for Medicine, Informatics and Economics, Heilbronn University, 74081 Heilbronn, Germany;
| | - Christoph Matthias
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (M.S.); (C.M.); (H.G.)
| | - Haralampos Gouveris
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany; (M.S.); (C.M.); (H.G.)
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Laajala A, Autio TJ, Ohtonen P, Alho OP, Koskenkorva TJ. Interpretation of Tonsillectomy Outcome Inventory-14 scores: a prospective matched cohort study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2020; 277:1499-1505. [PMID: 32060601 PMCID: PMC7160096 DOI: 10.1007/s00405-020-05832-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Knowledge of disease-specific instruments enables the evaluation of health- related quality-of-life (QoL) change associated with chronic and recurrent tonsillitis in adults. The main objective was to explore the interpretation of scores according to the throat-related QoL instrument, Tonsillectomy Outcome Inventory-14 (TOI-14), by determining the typical scores in healthy subjects and patients and define the minimum important change (MIC). METHODS We performed a prospective matched cohort study in a secondary care area of Oulu University Hospital. The surgical cohort consisted of 42 patients referred to tonsillectomy due to recurrent or chronic tonsillitis. The control cohort consisted of 42 age- and sex-matched healthy controls obtained from the escorts of patients in the same hospital. We translated and validated the Finnish TOI-14 instrument and collected TOI-14 scores at entry and at 6 months and compared results to the anchor question. RESULTS At entry, the mean TOI-14 scores were significantly higher in the surgical cohort than in the control cohort [mean (95% confidence interval)] 33.0 (27.0-39.1) vs. 5.0 (3.6-6.4), respectively. At 6 months follow-up, the mean TOI-14 scores had improved markedly after tonsillectomy to the level of the control cohort. In the healthy population, the score was in most cases under 15.0 points. In patients, a score of about 20.0 indicated mild symptoms, 30.0 moderate symptoms and 40.0 or higher intense symptoms. The MIC value was 10.0 points. CONCLUSIONS These results enable the more accurate interpretation of the scores of the only disease-specific QoL instrument for adult throat-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksi Laajala
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland.
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
| | - Timo J Autio
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Pasi Ohtonen
- Division of Operative Care, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Olli-Pekka Alho
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Timo J Koskenkorva
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Oulu University Hospital, P.O. Box 5000, 90014, Oulu, Finland
- PEDEGO Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
- Medical Research Center Oulu, Oulu, Finland
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Catic T, Kapo B, Pintol Z, Skopljak A, Cengic A, Gojak R, Gazibera B, Zelihic V, Becirovic M, Setic-Avdagic I, Jankovic SM. An Instrument for Rating Quality of Life Related to Sore Throat in Patients Suffering from Acute Pharyngitis or Tonsillitis. Mater Sociomed 2018; 30:43-48. [PMID: 30429687 PMCID: PMC6234653 DOI: 10.5455/msm.2018.30.43-48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Quality of life in patients with acute pharyngitis or tonsillitis is significantly lower than in healthy persons, and it should be taken into account when efficacy of new therapeutic options is investigated. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a reliable instrument that can measure quality of life in adult outpatients with sore throat caused by acute pharyngitis or acute tonsillitis. Method: The study was of a cross-sectional type, and assessed reliability and validity of newly developed questionnaire for measurement of quality of life in adult outpatients with sore throat (STQoL) caused by acute pharyngitis or acute tonsillitis. It was conducted on a sample of 282 patients, with mean age 39.0 ± 14.8 years, male/female ratio 104/178 (36.9%/63.1%). Results: Final version of the STQoL scale with 21 items showed excellent reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha 0.949. It was temporally stable, and both divergent and convergent validity tests had good results. Factorial analysis revealed three domains, Social/psychic aspects, Physical aspects and Environmental aspects of sore throat related quality of life. Conclusions: The STQoL scale is reliable and valid specific instrument for measuring sore throat related quality of life, which is an important treatment outcome in patients with acute pharyngitis or tonsillitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarik Catic
- Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Belma Kapo
- Bosnalijek d.d., Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Zumreta Pintol
- Health Care Centre of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Amira Skopljak
- Health Care Centre of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Aida Cengic
- Health Care Centre of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Refet Gojak
- Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Belma Gazibera
- Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Vildana Zelihic
- Health Care Centre of Canton Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mersiha Becirovic
- Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina
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Is there an association between prior anti-inflammatory drug exposure and occurrence of peritonsillar abscess (PTA)? A national multicenter prospective observational case-control study. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2016; 36:57-63. [PMID: 27604832 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-016-2770-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate whether recent systemic anti-inflammatory agents (AIAs) exposure in patients with sore throat managed with or without antibiotic therapy influenced the risk of peritonsillar abscess (PTA). We conducted a multicenter case-control study in 13 French university hospitals in 2009-2012 comparing patients admitted with PTA to matched controls: patients with sore throat but without PTA who were followed up for 10 days after visiting their primary-care physician. In the multivariate stepwise logistic regression model comparing 120 cases with PTA to 143 controls, factors significantly associated with PTA were male gender (odds ratio [OR], 2.0; p = 0.03), smoking (OR, 2.0; p = 0.03), and prior self-medication with systemic AIAs (OR, 3.5; p = 0.01). Topical treatment was associated with significant protection against PTA (OR, 0.3; p < 0.001). In conclusion, self-medication with systemic AIAs appears to be an independent factor associated with the occurrence of PTA. This is an important message as non-steroidal AIAs access is favored by their over-counter availability in pharmacies. This finding must be interpreted with caution due to the study design and a prospective, randomized study is needed to substantiate these possible causal risk factors.
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