Effect of olopatadine hydrochloride (allelock®) on sleep loss of atopic dermatitis

We evaluated the effect of olopatadine hydrochloride (allelock®) on sleep loss induced from itch, which is a major symptom of atopic dermatitis, by using pruritic scores and actigraphy. Nocturnal movements of 3 patients with atopic dermatitis were measured for 7 to 10 consecutive nights by actigraphy. These patients had taken allelock® for at least 3 consecutive days while undergoing actigraphy. Pruritic scores were described before patients went to bed. We found a significant correlation between the mean activity score and the pruritic score and between the mean score during active periods and the pruritic score. Two of 3 cases recognized the efficacy of oral allelock®. The pruritic scores decreased in these 2 cases, and the number of nocturnal movements decreased in one case. On the other hand, neither the pruritic score nor the number of nocturnal movements decreased in the case that did not recognize efficacy of the drug. These results indicate that measurement of nocturnal movements using actigraphy may be an appropriate method to evaluate nocturnal itch.