Measuring Quality of Life in Adult Patients with Chronic Tonsillitis

摘要

The effects on quality of life (QoL) in adult patients with chronic tonsillitis are multidimensional.Tonsillectomy has been and is still the standard for treating these patients, who fulfil certain clinical criteria, and is thusthe main determinant in the change of QoL. The reduction in severity and frequency of symptoms, health care utilization,physician visits and days off work are major factors in the improvement of QoL. Other important aspects are themanagement of the postoperative pain and the avoidance of post tonsillectomy hemorrhage. Economic benefits oftonsillectomy receive increasing attention as there can be direct associations with the patients’ QoL. Studies concerningthe clinical efficacy of tonsillectomy, various techniques in order to achieve the best outcome, postoperative pain relievingmeasures, methods to minimize postoperative hemorrhage rates, and studies of cost-effectiveness of this intervention willbe reviewed and discussed.