Adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy in childhood is not associated with atopic disease later in life

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy in childhood and asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and eczema in adolescence. METHODS: Longitudinal birth cohort study of 1328 members born in the city of Nijmegen. Information on ear-nose-throat surgery was documented at 2, 4, and 8 years of age. In 1055 cohort members the incidence of asthma, AR, and eczema at 21 years of age was determined using the International Study of Asthma and Allergic disease in Childhood Core Questionnaire. To analyse the association between adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy in childhood and asthma, AR, and eczema at age 21 years, relative risks (RR) were calculated. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety-three (66%) members completed the questionnaire at age 21 years, of whom 104 (15%) had undergone adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy and 262 (38%) reported atopic disease. Children who underwent adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy before the age of 8 years were not more likely to develop asthma, AR, or eczema at the age of 21 years than children who did not; RR 0.93 (95% confidence limits (CL) 0.52-1.64), RR 0.94 (CL 0.68-1.30), and RR 1.00 (CL 0.59-1.68), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show no association between adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy in childhood and the incidence of atopic disease in young adults.