Comparative study of the effectiveness of antihistamine preparations in the treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis

The objective of the study – to determine the comparative effectiveness of І-generation antihistamines and active metabolites of II-generation in treatment of patients with atopic dermatitis. Materials and methods. The study included 40 patients with atopic dermatitis. SCORAD scale was used for the assessment of the disease severity and Ukrainian translation of the Dermatology Life Quality Index – for the quality of life assessment. Patients were randomized into two groups that received I generation antihistamines and active metabolites of the II generation. Student's criterion or Wilcoxon criterion was used for statistical analyses. Normality of data distribution was verified using Shapiro–Wilk criterion.Results. A high ΔSCORAD (%) was observed in patients, who used I generation antihistamines. The significantly higher DLQI was in the group which used active metabolites of the II generation. ΔDLQI (%) was significantly lower in patients from the comparison group compared with individuals from the main group. Significant differences in neuroticism and state anxiety were obtained in patients from main and comparative groups with lower values in patients taking I generation antihistamines. In the group of patients before the start of treatment, the state of subdepression was noted, and in those of the main group there were no depressive symptoms at the end of the course of therapy. Conclusions. First-generation antihistamines are more effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis compared to the active metabolites of second-generation, as evidenced by significant differences in SCORAD, ΔSCORAD (%), the severity of pruritus between groups of patients after completion of treatment. I-generation antihistamines indirectly have a positive effect on the quality of life, anxiety, depression and neuroticism, which explains the need for their priority choice in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.