Keywords
peritonsillar abscess
seasonality
epidemiology
beta-hemolytic streptococcus
tonsillitis complications
How to Cite
Abstract
Introduction. Acute tonsillitis is among the most common infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Peritonsillar abscess, being the most frequent purulent complication, remains an important clinical problem in modern otorhinolaryngology. In Ukraine, studies on seasonal variations in the incidence of acute tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess are limited, which complicates the ability to predict epidemic peaks and optimize healthcare resource allocation.
Aim. To determine seasonal patterns in the incidence of acute tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess during 2023-2025 to optimize epidemic peak forecasting and improve the organization of medical care for patients with this pathology.
Materials and methods. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bogomolets National Medical University, Kyiv, from January 2023 to September 2025. The study included patients with confirmed diagnoses of acute tonsillitis or peritonsillar abscess. Statistical analysis was performed using Python with Pearson‘s chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Kendall test, and Spearman‘s correlation analysis.
Results. During the observation period, 1,014 cases of acute tonsillitis and 112 cases of peritonsillar abscess were registered. Distinct seasonal fluctuations were identified, with peaks during the winter-spring period (February-March) and minimums during summer months (July-August). The highest tonsillitis incidence was observed in February (47.0±4.4 cases per month). Mean patient age was 27.6±13.4 years for tonsillitis and 33.4±11.2 years for abscess. A strong correlation was found between tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess incidence (r = 0.82, p < 0.001), with complications accounting for 11.0%. The seasonality coefficient was 3.62 for tonsillitis and 4.38 for abscess (p < 0.001). Stability of seasonal patterns across three years (r = 0.91-0.94, p < 0.001) suggests restoration of normal epidemiological patterns following COVID-19.
Conclusions. Pronounced seasonality of acute tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess was established, with peaks in February-March and minimums in summer. The significant relationship between both pathologies confirms the classical concept of abscess as a complication of tonsillitis. The study findings have practical implications for healthcare resource planning in the region and can be used to forecast periods of increased incidence.
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