NEW YORK, Dec 22: In the United States, approximately 300,000 children undergo tonsillectomies each year, typically to improve breathing during sleep or to reduce recurrent infections. However, a new study by an international research team suggests that this common procedure may have a long-term impact on mental health, increasing the risk of anxiety-related disorders later in life.

Researchers from Guangxi Medical University in China and the Karolinska Institute in Sweden analyzed data from over one million individuals in a Swedish health registry. The study found that individuals who had their tonsils removed were 43 percent more likely to develop conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety.

Although the study is observational and cannot determine the exact cause of this association, the increased risk was evident even after accounting for factors such as the participant's sex, the age at which they underwent surgery, family history of stress-related disorders, and parental education level, which is often linked to socioeconomic status.

The researchers noted that their findings suggest a potential link between adenotonsillar diseases or related health conditions and the development of stress-related disorders. Among the conditions studied, PTSD showed the greatest increase in risk, with individuals who had tonsillectomies at a younger age facing a 55 percent higher risk compared to those who did not have the surgery.

To further explore this link, the researchers compared siblings within families to control for genetic and environmental factors. Even within these families, those who had undergone tonsillectomies had a 34 percent higher risk of developing anxiety disorders.

The study also found that while the increased risk of stress-related disorders was most pronounced in the years immediately following the surgery, the elevated risk persisted for more than 20 years after the procedure.

With its large sample size and nationwide scope, the study provides credible evidence of a possible connection between tonsillectomies and long-term mental health effects. But what might explain this association?

Although tonsils can be removed without major consequences, they play a role in fighting infections, and their absence may make the body more vulnerable to illness. Additionally, the underlying reasons for the tonsillectomy, such as persistent inflammation, may also contribute to the development of anxiety later in life.