Iron deficiency anaemia as a novel immunological indicator of recurrence in chronic tonsillitis

Abstract

Trace elements such as iron play essential roles in the metabolic and immune functions of the body. Anaemia is known to suppresses immunity and it was assessed based on iron deficiency. The present study was done to elucidate the correlation of iron deficiency anaemia to chronic and recurrent tonsillitis. A 1 -year observational study was conducted and 100 patients with recurrent tonsillitis were included. Serum iron were estimated by spectrometry. Anemia was assessed based on Hb levels, TIBC and peripheral smears. Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlation Coefficients were used for the statistical analysis. 84% of the patients had a iron deficiency anaemia, 56% had low serum iron, There was a significant corelation between anaemia and low serum iron among the study population, the Spearman’s correlation coefficient r value was 0.824 and the p value was less than 0.05 between iron deficiency anaemia and recurrent tonsillitis with higher grades of hypertrophy and symptoms as well. In order to plan the treatment of tonsillitis and predict the prognosis accurately we need to assess the patient’s immune status, for which serum iron and markers of anaemia can be used. This will be a novel and economical prognostic biomarker which can be embraced in the modern, evidence-based practice of otorhinolaryngology.