Risk Factors for Recurrence of Peritonsillar Abscess

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors associated with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) recurrence in adult patients.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used a nationwide insurance claims database in Japan. Adult patients (aged ≥ 20 years) who received intravenous antibiotics or surgical therapy within 5 days of their first PTA diagnosis were included. Multivariable Cox proportional modeling was used to investigate the risk factors for PTA recurrence using the variables: age, sex, comorbidities, tobacco use, history of recurrent tonsillitis, duration of intravenous antibiotics, and surgical therapy for PTA.

Results: This study included 12,012 patients (8784 men, 73.1%). Of them, 1358 (11.3%) experienced PTA recurrence. An age ≥40 years and treatment with intravenous antibiotics for 3 days or more were associated with a lower risk of PTA recurrence (aged ≥ 40 years: adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62-0.78, treated with intravenous antibiotics for 3 days or more: adjusted HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.76-0.96). Patients with a history of recurrent tonsillitis were associated with a higher risk of recurrence (adjusted HR: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.47-2.19).

Conclusion: A median age of 20-39 years, a history of recurrent tonsillitis, and less than 3 days of intravenous antibiotic therapy may be risk factors for PTA recurrence among adult patients. Further studies exploring more detailed clinical data are necessary to confirm the risk factors for PTA recurrence.

Level of evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:1846-1852, 2023.

Keywords: adult; peritonsillar abscess; recurrence.