BACKGROUND: Recently, the updated EAACI/GA(2) LEN/EDF/WAO guidelines for urticaria have been published. OBJECTIVE: To examine how chronic spontaneous urticaria (csU) patients in Germany are diagnosed and treated, and to compare the outcome to the guideline recommendations. METHODS: During this cross-sectional survey study, most dermatologists, paediatricians and 5149 general practitioners in private practice in Germany were asked to participate. All physicians who agreed were requested to complete a standardized questionnaire about their diagnostic and therapeutic management of csU. RESULTS: A total of 776 questionnaires were available for analysis. Most physicians (82%) were attempting to identify underlying causes in their csU patients, but with only limited success. More than 70% reported to check for total serum IgE and to do skin prick testing (not suggested in first line by guideline). In contrast, only 10% applied the autologous serum skin test. The most common first-line treatments were non-sedating antihistamines in standard or higher doses (as recommended). However, many physicians reported still using first generation sedating antihistamines (23%) (not recommended) or systemic steroids (18%). Experience with alternative options was low. Less than one-third of the participants reported to be familiar with the guidelines. Those who did, were found to be more likely to check for underlying causes, to be more experienced with antihistamine updosing and to be more reluctant to use sedating antihistamines or systemic steroids. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic and therapeutic management of csU by private practice physicians does not sufficiently comply with the guidelines. Awareness of the guidelines can lead to improved care.
BACKGROUND: Recently, the updated EAACI/GA(2) LEN/EDF/WAO guidelines for urticaria have been published. OBJECTIVE: To examine how chronic spontaneous urticaria (csU) patients in Germany are diagnosed and treated, and to compare the outcome to the guideline recommendations. METHODS: During this cross-sectional survey study, most dermatologists, paediatricians and 5149 general practitioners in private practice in Germany were asked to participate. All physicians who agreed were requested to complete a standardized questionnaire about their diagnostic and therapeutic management of csU. RESULTS: A total of 776 questionnaires were available for analysis. Most physicians (82%) were attempting to identify underlying causes in their csU patients, but with only limited success. More than 70% reported to check for total serum IgE and to do skin prick testing (not suggested in first line by guideline). In contrast, only 10% applied the autologous serum skin test. The most common first-line treatments were non-sedating antihistamines in standard or higher doses (as recommended). However, many physicians reported still using first generation sedating antihistamines (23%) (not recommended) or systemic steroids (18%). Experience with alternative options was low. Less than one-third of the participants reported to be familiar with the guidelines. Those who did, were found to be more likely to check for underlying causes, to be more experienced with antihistamine updosing and to be more reluctant to use sedating antihistamines or systemic steroids. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic and therapeutic management of csU by private practice physicians does not sufficiently comply with the guidelines. Awareness of the guidelines can lead to improved care.
Authors: Sinisa Savic; Alexander Marsland; David McKay; Michael R Ardern-Jones; Tabi Leslie; Olivier Somenzi; Laura Baldock; Clive Grattan Journal: Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol Date: 2015-07-21 Impact factor: 3.406
Authors: A Cherrez; M Maurer; K Weller; J C Calderon; D Simancas-Racines; I Cherrez Ojeda Journal: World Allergy Organ J Date: 2017-05-23 Impact factor: 4.084
Authors: Pavel Kolkhir; Dmitry Pogorelov; Razvigor Darlenski; Marco Caminati; Luciana Kase Tanno; Duy Le Pham; Alexei Gonzalez-Estrada; Darío Antolín-Amérigo; Ves Dimov; Karsten Weller; Mario Sánchez-Borges; Ignacio Ansotegui; Marcus Maurer Journal: World Allergy Organ J Date: 2018-07-04 Impact factor: 4.084
Authors: Mati Chuamanochan; Karsten Weller; Eugen Feist; Tilmann Kallinich; Marcus Maurer; Jasmin Kümmerle-Deschner; Karoline Krause Journal: World Allergy Organ J Date: 2019-03-14 Impact factor: 4.084
Authors: Jonathan Graham; Doreen McBride; Donald Stull; Anna Halliday; Stamatia Theodora Alexopoulos; Maria-Magdalena Balp; Matthew Griffiths; Ion Agirrezabal; Torsten Zuberbier; Alan Brennan Journal: Pharmacoeconomics Date: 2016-08 Impact factor: 4.981
Authors: Mignon T van den Elzen; Harmieke van Os-Medendorp; Imke van den Brink; Karin van den Hurk; Ouliana I Kouznetsova; Alexander S H J Lokin; Anna-Marijke Laheij-de Boer; Heike Röckmann; Carla A F M Bruijnzeel-Koomen; André C Knulst Journal: Clin Transl Allergy Date: 2017-02-14 Impact factor: 5.871