The NAtional Trial of Tonsillectomy IN Adults (NATTINA)

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    The NAtional Trial of Tonsillectomy IN Adults: a clinical and cost effectiveness study

  • IRAS ID

    154101

  • Contact name

    Janet Wilson

  • Contact email

    janet.wilson@ncl.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

  • Research summary

    The role of tonsillectomy in the management of adult sore throat remains uncertain and despite compliance with Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) guidance, UK regional variation in tonsillectomy rates persists.

    The questions that patients, doctors and healthcare providers wish to answer relate to the costs and benefits of tonsillectomy against conservative management (no surgery) and whether better guidelines for referring patents for a tonsillectomy can be created to maximise benefits and minimise the risks.

    NATTINA is a multicentre randomised controlled surgical trial of tonsillectomy in adults with recurrent acute tonsillitis and is looking to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of tonsillectomy versus conservative management (deferred surgery). It is taking place in 9 NHS sites within the UK.

    Participants will be randomised into 2 groups in a 1:1 ratio:
    • Immediate tonsillectomy (within 6-8 weeks of randomisation)
    • Conservative Management consisting of usual care (deferred surgery)

    The study includes an internal pilot study which will assess the ability to recruit and aims to enrol 72 patients in 6 months over 6 sites. Following a successful pilot, the main trial will recruit a further 528 participants over 18 months in all 9 sites. A total of 600 participants will be recruited.

    Patient, staff and GP interviews will be performed for the Qualitative Process Evaluation part of the study.

    GP linkage data from participants' primary health care records will be collected to support data collected from participants during the 24 month follow up.

  • REC name

    North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/NE/1144

  • Date of REC Opinion

    10 Nov 2014

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion