Effect of nalfurafine hydrochloride in patients with chronic liver disease with refractory pruritus on sleep disorders: a study protocol for single-arm, prospective, interventional study

Introduction Chronic liver disease (CLD)-related pruritus manifests as cholestasis symptoms, which can cause severe itches in the whole body and significantly decrease quality of daily activities and sleep. The actigram, which documents movement by means of an accelerometer, has been demonstrated to be useful for assessing sleep quality. Nalfurafine hydrochloride, which is a selective κ-opioid receptor agonist, exerts its antipruritic efficacies through a novel mechanism. We aimed to prospectively examine the effect of nalfurafine hydrochloride on sleep quality for patients with CLD with pruritus utilising actigram. Methods and analysis This study will be a single-centre, prospective, interventional, single-arm study. Our study participants are subjects whose pruritus was confirmed to be uncontrollable by antihistamines or antiallergics within 6 months before informed consent (IC). Evaluation time points using actigram will be (1) before administration of testing drug; (2) after 1 week; (3) after 4 weeks (primary endpoint); and (4) every 4 weeks thereafter. The follow-up period will be 6 months. We will prospectively assess and compare changes in sleep quality in patients with CLD with pruritus undergoing nalfurafine hydrochloride therapy using actigram. Quantitative variables will be compared by paired t-test. Ethics and dissemination This study has received approval from the Institutional Review Board at Hyogo College of Medicine (approval no 2325). The study protocol, IC form and other documents were reviewed and approved. Final data will be publicly disseminated regardless of the results. A report releasing study results will be submitted in an appropriate journal. Trial registration number UMIN000028161; Pre-results.