Skip to main content
Log in

Rheumatoid arthritis is not associated with prior tonsillectomy or appendectomy

  • Bookreviews Originals
  • Published:
Clinical Rheumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

To re-evaluate a reported association of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with antecendent tonsillectomy or appendectomy, questionnaires were sent by post to 3673 patients who had been diagnosed as having either RA or osteoarthrosis (OA). Of those who responded 1524 were RA and 1194 OA patients. No significant differences were found between these groups with regard to the frequency of prior lymphoid surgery. This was also the case when the RA group was replaced by its rheumatoid factor (Rf) positive or Rf negative subgroup. A separate analysis of a subgroup consisting of 671 Rf positive RA patients for whom OA control subjects matched for sex and year of birth were available again showed no statistical differences in frequencies of tonsillectomy and appendectomy. Neither did partitioning the group according to the age at which lymphoid surgery was performed bring any association with an increased occurrence of RA to light. We therefore reject the hypothesis that RA is associated with antecedent tonsillectomy or appendectomy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Gottlieb, N.L., Page, W.F., Appelrouth, D.J., Palmer, R., Kiem, I.M. Antecedent tonsillectomy and appendectomy in rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol 1979, 6, 316–323.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Vaughan, J.H. Infection and rheumatic diseases: a review (part 1 of 2). Bull Rheum Dis 1989, 39(1), 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Vaughan, J.H. Infection and rheumatic diseases: a review (part 2 of 2). Bull Rheum Dis 1990, 39(2), 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Silman, A.J. Is rheumatoid arthritis an infectious disease? Br Med J 1991, 303, 452–453.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Gardner, D.L. Pathological Basis of the Connective Tissue Diseases. London: Edward Arnold, 1992, 444–446 and 530–533.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bombardier, C. Some pitfalls of the case-control approach to the investigation of rheumatoid disease. J Rheumatol 1979, 6, 247–250.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Wolfe, F., Young, D.Y. Rheumatoid arthritis and antecedent tonsillectomy. J Rheumatol 1983, 10, 309–312.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Patel, S.B., Eastmond, C.J. Preceding tonsillectomy and appendicectomy in rheumatoid and degenerative arthritis. J Rheumatol 1983, 10, 313–315.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Linos, A.D., O'Fallon, W.M., Worthington, J.W., Kurland, L.T. The effect of tonsillectomy and appendectomy on the development of rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol 1986, 13, 707–709.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Fernandez-Madrid, F., Reed, A.H., Karvonen, R.L., Granda, J.L. Influence of antecedent lymphoid surgery on the odds of acquiring rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol 1985, 12, 43–48.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Bernelot Moens, H.J., Van de Laar, M.A.F.J., Van der Korst, J.K. Comparison of the sensitivity and specificity of the 1958 and 1987 criteria for rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol 1992, 19, 198–203.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Rothman, K.J. Modern Epidemiology. 6th edition, Boston, Toronto 1986, Little, Brown & Co Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bernelot Moens, H., Corstjens, A. & Boon, C. Rheumatoid arthritis is not associated with prior tonsillectomy or appendectomy. Clin Rheumatol 13, 483–486 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02242947

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02242947

Key words

Navigation