Abstract
We made a study on the psychosomatic factors of chronic hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils in adults. Our subjects were members of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, whoworked in developing countries for 2 years. Group T consisted of those who dah chronic hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils (Grade II〜III by Mackenzie) and Group C consisted of controls without chronic hypertrophy of the tissues (Table 1). Those who had undergone tonsillectomy were excluded from this study. Blood examinations and psychological tests were applied in both groups under the same conditions during a 3-month training period before ssiognment overseas. Result; 1) With regard to the results of TPI(Todai Personality Inventory; a MMPI revised questionnaire), group T showed singificantly lower mean scores in the scales of Depression (p<0.05), Obsession (p<0.02) and Antisocial (p<0.02) than group C. These results indicated that group T had less depressive, less obsessive and more submissive personality traits as compared with group C (Table 2). 2) CMI(Cornell Medical Index) revealed no significant differences in neurotic tendency (by Fukamachi's criterion) between both groups, but group T showed significantly (p<0.05) lower mean scores in the scale of Fatigability. These results suggested that group T had less tendency to feel their own fatigue than group C(Table 3). 3) Conparison among habitual smokers showed that those in group T smoked significantly (p<0.05) more cigarettes per day than those in group C(Table 4). 4) Group T had a significantly (p<0.05) lower rate of those who had some hobby overseas as compoared to group C(Table 5). 5) By our original questionnaire, there were no differences of self-consciousness concerning psychologicanl maladjustment living in foreign countries between both groups (Table 6). 6) Group T had a significantly (p<0.02) higher incidence of medical care overseas than group C(Table 7). 7) The mean obesity index of group T was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of group C, and ration of subjects with abesity index (%) over 10% in group T was significantly higher (p<0.01) than that of group C(Table 8 & 9). 8) Comoparing among males, the mean values of total protein, GPT and r-GTP of group T were significantly (p<0.01,p<0.05,p<0.05) higher than those of group C. On the other hand, there were no differences on the mean values of ESR (1hr), WBC counts and platelets counts between both groups (Table 10). 9) The mean values of corticosterone of group T(n=8) were higher (p<0.01) than those of group C(n=10)(Table 11). These results suggested that various psychosomatic factours such as personality, in particular, an "alexithymic tendency"behaviours and endocrine function are involved in chronic hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils.
