[Ketotifen and polysomnography in patients with allergic rhinitis]

To obtain a complete study of respiratory patients, it is correct to analyze also the sleeping pattern. In these subjects, to improve respiratory tests and to reduce the bronchoconstriction, we must to use drugs with a constant action. However, during sleep, a decreased respiratory muscle function, a ventilation perfusion imbalance and a decreased response to chemical stimuli are undesirable factors related to transient desaturations. The study of sleep stages is useful to know better the respiratory disorders and the action of the drugs. We report the data of an allergic rhinitis population to evaluate the eventual modifications in sleep pattern brought upon by ketotifen.