The EAACI/GA²LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis and management of urticaria

Abstract

Abstract This evidence‐ and consensus‐based guideline was developed following the methods recommended by Cochrane and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation ( GRADE ) working group. The conference was held on 1 December 2016. It is a joint initiative of the Dermatology Section of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology ( EAACI ), the EU ‐founded network of excellence, the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network ( GA ² LEN ), the European Dermatology Forum ( EDF ) and the World Allergy Organization ( WAO ) with the participation of 48 delegates of 42 national and international societies. This guideline was acknowledged and accepted by the European Union of Medical Specialists ( UEMS ). Urticaria is a frequent, mast cell‐driven disease, presenting with wheals, angioedema, or both. The lifetime prevalence for acute urticaria is approximately 20%. Chronic spontaneous urticaria and other chronic forms of urticaria are disabling, impair quality of life and affect performance at work and school. This guideline covers the definition and classification of urticaria, taking into account the recent progress in identifying its causes, eliciting factors and pathomechanisms. In addition, it outlines evidence‐based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for the different subtypes of urticaria.

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Affiliated Institutions

• University of Southern Denmark DK
• Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre IN
• Peking University First Hospital CN
• Johns Hopkins Medicine US
• Hospital Médica Sur MX
• Humanitas University IT
• Sorbonne Université FR
• University College London GB
• Université Laval CA
• University of Toronto CA
• Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin DE
• University of Groningen NL
• St Thomas' Hospital GB
• Medical University of Graz AT
• Centro Médico Docente La Trinidad VE
• Freie Universität Berlin DE
• Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin DE
• Mahidol University TH
• Camden and Campbelltown Hospitals AU
• Smolensk State Medical University RU
• Dermatology Research Center US
• Western Sydney University AU
• University of Bari Aldo Moro IT
• Medical University of South Carolina US
• Odense University Hospital DK
• Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust GB
• Okmeydanı Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi TR
• Medical University of Silesia PL
• Aarhus University Hospital DK
• Siriraj Hospital TH
• Ospedale San Carlo IT
• Hiroshima University JP
• University of Coimbra PT
• Hospital Kuala Lumpur MY
• Peking University CN
• Federal Medical-Biological Agency RU
• University of Cincinnati US
• Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center US
• University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz DE
• University Hospital of Zurich CH
• Universidade Federal de São Paulo BR
• Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona ES
• Hôpital Tenon FR
• Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz DE
• Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec CA
• Johns Hopkins University US
• Bnai Zion Medical Center IL
• Medizinische Hochschule Hannover DE
• Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo BR
• The Royal Free Hospital GB

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