To date, limited data has been available regarding the impact of adenotonsillectomy (AT) on the psychosocial well-being of chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy (CAH) subjects.

In the present study, we examined the impacts of AT on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms (ADHD) and sleep disturbance symptoms and quality of life of children with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

Parents of children with CAH filled in Conners Parent Rating Scale-Revised Short (CPRS-RS), children's sleep habits questionnaire (CSHQ), and the pediatric quality of life inventory, parent versions (PedsQL-P) before and six months after AT.

A total of 64 children were included the study (mean age: 6.8 ± 2.4 years; 50% boys). Mean ADHD Index (11.98 ± 6.94 versus 10.35 ± 6.44) (before AT versus after AT) and oppositional scores (6.73 ± 3.72 versus 5.87 ± 3.52) improved statistically significantly after AT (P < 0.05). All of the CSHQ subdomain scores, except sleep duration, significantly reduced after AT (P < 0.05). Regarding to quality of life, both PedsQL-P physical health (64.20 ± 19.81 versus 69.84 ± 18.63) and psychosocial health subdomain scores (67.83 ± 12.89 versus 75.57 ± 13.16), and PedsQL-P total score (66.57 ± 12.94 versus 73.58 ± 12.46) of the patients were significantly higher six months after AT (P < 0.001).

It is necessary for child and adolescent psychiatrists to query the symptoms of CAH to identify children with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy who suffer from ADHD symptoms, oppositionality, and sleep disturbance. To carry out AT seems to be beneficial for coexisting ADHD and sleep disorder symptoms and quality of life in these children.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.