Investigation of serum prolidase enzyme levels in patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy

<b>Objective:</b> We investigated serum prolidase enzyme activity (SPEA) in patients with adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) and compared the results with those of healthy children. We determined the enzyme levels again after adenotonsillectomy in the patient group to determine any differences.<br /> <b>Methods:</b> The study consisted of a total of 60 patients. The control group and the study group each included 30 patients. SPEA levels were compared between the groups. Pre- and post-operative SPEA levels were also compared in the patient group.<br /> <b>Results: </b>The mean SPEA value was 213.51 U/L pre-operative group and 177.73 U/L post-operative group. The decrease in SPEA levels after the adenotonsillectomy was statistically significant (p < 0.05). When the patient and control groups were compared, SPEA levels in the patient group were statistically significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). The mean SPEA value was 188.87 U/L in the control group, whereas it was 213.51 U/L in the patient group.<br /> <b>Conclusions: </b>SPEA levels were significantly higher in ATH patients than in healthy children. SPEA levels were found to decrease significantly after adenotonsillectomy. This finding suggests that SPEA may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of ATH.