Tonsillectomy reduces the family impact of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome and improves health-related quality of life in affected children
Journal article, 2023

Background: Periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome is an autoinflammatory disorder that primarily affects young children, and typically gives rise to fever episodes that recur monthly for several years. This study investigated the impact of PFAPA syndrome on the families of affected children, the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of children with the syndrome, and how these factors were influenced by tonsillectomy. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 24 children with typical PFAPA syndrome that were referred for tonsillectomy, of whom 20 underwent the procedure. The control group consisted of randomly selected children from the general population. Family impact and HRQOL were measured using the standardized, validated questionnaires Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ (PedsQL™) Family Impact Module (FIM) and PedsQL™ 4.0 Generic Core Scales (GCS). Parents to children with PFAPA completed the questionnaires before and 6 months after their child underwent tonsillectomy, and HRQOL was measured both between and during PFAPA episodes. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare data before and after tonsillectomy in the patient group, while the Mann–Whitney test was used for comparison of the patient and control groups. Results: Before tonsillectomy, children with PFAPA had significantly lower scores than the control group on the PedsQL™ FIM and the PedsQL™ 4.0 GCS during fever episodes. After tonsillectomy, all patients improved with diminished febrile episodes, which resulted in significantly higher scores regarding both family impact and HRQOL at the time of follow-up. HRQOL of in children with PFAPA improved after tonsillectomy even when compared to afebrile intervals before the procedure. The differences between PFAPA patients and controls were eliminated after tonsillectomy. Conclusion: PFAPA syndrome has a profound negative impact on the families of affected children. Tonsillectomy that leads to cessation or reduction of fever episodes eases the impact of the disease on the family. HRQOL in children with PFAPA is low during febrile episodes and similar to healthy controls in between episodes. The improvement of HRQOL in patients with PFAPA after tonsillectomy compared to the afebrile intervals before tonsillectomy highlights that the constantly recurring fevers may affect the children’s well-being even between fever episodes.

Tonsillectomy

Autoinflammatory disorders

Periodic fever

Health-related quality of life

Family impact

Author

Karin Rydenman

NU Hospital Group

University of Gothenburg

Carina Sparud Lundin

University of Gothenburg

Anna Karlsson-Bengtsson

Chalmers, Life Sciences

University of Gothenburg

Stefan Berg

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

University of Gothenburg

Anders Fasth

University of Gothenburg

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Per Wekell

University of Gothenburg

NU Hospital Group

Sahlgrenska University Hospital

Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases

17501172 (eISSN)

Vol. 18 1 153

Children with autoinflammatory disease - cellulära och molekylära mekanismer

Swedish Research Council (VR), -- .

Reumatikerförbundet, -- .

Region Västra Götaland, -- .

Subject Categories

Pediatrics

Rheumatology and Autoimmunity

DOI

10.1186/s13023-023-02773-8

PubMed

37340482

More information

Latest update

5/22/2024