Salivary Melatonin Levels in Comparison with Disease Features and Antihistamine Use: Prospective Follow-Up of Atopic Dermatitis Patients
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory dermatosis often accompanied by itching and sleep disturbances. Various treatment options exist, including antihistamines (AHs) even though current clinical recommendations do not mention them. This prospective study measured and recorded salivary melatonin at two timepoints in three groups of participants: those not treated with AHs, those who discontinued H1-AHs, and those for whom H1-AHs were introduced. Also assessed were disease severity (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis/SCORAD and Eczema Area and Severity Index/EASI), pruritus severity (Peak Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale/NRS), and sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index/PSQI). Initially, EASI scores significantly negatively, linearly correlated with salivary melatonin levels (p = 0.009). At the second measurement, SCORAD correlated with EASI, NRS, and PSQI (p < 0.001; p = 0.022, and p < 0.001; respectively). EASI correlated with NRS and PSQI (p = 0.003; p < 0.001). In those who discontinued AHs, AD severity indicators significantly increased (SCORAD, EASI, NRS) (p = 0.012; p = 0.012; p = 0.010), while in those for whom AHs were introduced, a significant decrease was observed in SCORAD, EASI, NSR (p = 0.012; p = 0.012; p = 0.010). Those who discontinued AHs showed increased AD severity indicators (SCORAD, EASI, NRS), whereas participants for whom AHs were introduced showed decreases in the same scores. The results support an association between melatonin levels and AD severity, as well as AHs' significant treatment efficacy in AD.
DOI: 10.3390/ijms27209333
Language: English
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
OpenAlex ID: W7205012061