All Things Urticaria
The following podcasts are brought to you by the Urticaria Centers of Reference and Excellence (UCARE) network. UCARE aims to provide excellence in urticaria management, increase knowledge of urticaria via research, studies and education, and promote awareness of urticaria through advocacy activities.
This UCARE podcast was led and hosted by Professor Marcus Maurer until his death on July 31, 2024. This role is now held by Professor Torsten Zuberbier, who is President of GA²LEN Global Network of Excellence, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP (Allergology and Immunology) and of the IFA Institute of Allergology (more information here).
When doctor becomes patient
Episode 11 – Dr Jorge Sánchez reflects on how it felt to give himself urticaria and explains what his bold experiment has taught us about the role of IgE antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO IgE) in this disease.
The patient voice
Episode 18 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Cassandra, a patient who has been affected by CSU for many years. She offers insights into the patient experience and how healthcare professionals can better support their patients.
Patient advocacy and seeing through the patient’s eyes
Episode 48 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by patient and patient advocate Elaine, who experiences chronic urticaria. She highlights the importance of connecting patients and discusses the opportunities that arise when patients work together with healthcare professionals.
The patient perspective
Episode 71 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by the president of Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP), Tonya Winders, for a special Urticaria Day (UDAY) episode to discuss the role patient advocacy groups play in supporting individuals with CSU. Both experts explore patient unmet needs and highlight methods clinicians can use to help overcome these barriers.
Living with CSU: The patient’s voice
Episode 80 – “It doesn’t just affect one part of your life.” Arzoo Ahmed joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the patient perspective, covering the reality and challenges of living with CSU.
Episode 98 – “It stops my daily life as I know it.” Patient advocate with CSU Kristen Willard joins Professor Torsten Zuberbier to reflect on navigating life with CSU, including the impact on quality of life, potential triggers and the uncertainty around the disease.
CRUSE CONTROL: A chronic urticaria self-evaluation app
Episode 35 – Dr Sophia Neisinger introduces the CRUSE CONTROL app, which has been developed to help support CSU self-evaluation and aims to improve patient quality of life.
Urticaria and the CRUSE app
Episode 66 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Aistė Ramanauskaitė to explore the CRUSE app's potential advantages for individuals with CSU. Professor Maurer emphasises the importance and utilisation of the CRUSE app, while Dr Ramanauskaitė delves into the various benefits and practical applications offered by the app.
Apps, refugees, and the future of digital healthcare
Episode 79 – “This is only the beginning of making use of this technology.” Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by asthma and allergic rhinitis expert Professor Jean Bousquet to discuss the collaboration that produced the MASK-Air and CRUSE apps, how they are helping Ukrainian refugees and the possibilities for future development.
Are you CSU aware?
Episode 36 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Christian Vestergaard, who offers expert insight into the results of the AWARE study and highlights the urgent need for wider dissemination of the guidelines for CSU management.
Updates from AAAAI conference 2023
Episode 60 – Professor Marcus Maurer and Dr Luis Felipe Ensina deliberate on the most recent findings that emerged at The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) conference held in San Antonio, Texas. Professor Maurer discusses poster presentations concerning the efficacious use of omalizumab and dupilumab for the management of urticaria. Professor Ensina expands the discussion by outlining ongoing projects and upcoming projects within UCARE that will be presented at the forthcoming UCARE conference in São Paulo in 2023.
UCARE Conference 2023
Episode 81 – “It’s really a catalyst to what the network does.” Professor Marcus Maurer asks Dr Luis Felipe Ensina to reflect on the UCARE Conference 2023, covering personal highlights and expectations for future meetings.
EAACI 2024
Episode 91 – Professor Marcus Maurer and Professor Martin Metz reflect on the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Congress 2024, including novel treatments on the horizon, key takeaways and expectations for future meetings.
Getting a grip on itch
Episode 2 – Itch can have a profound impact on quality of life in patients with urticaria Professor. Marcus Maurer is joined by itch expert, Professor Martin Metz, who explains that itch is much more than just “the little brother of pain” and describes the research that is currently underway to improve our understanding of this debilitating symptom.
Sweat it out
Episode 4 – In cholinergic urticaria, symptoms may arise as a result from any activity that induces sweating. Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by cholinergic urticaria expert Dr Sabine Altrichter, who provides insight into what is currently known about this debilitating condition.
Cold urticaria: The future is bright
Episode 5 – Cold urticaria expert, Dr Dorothea Terhorst-Molawi, and host, Professor Marcus Maurer, discuss the complexities of this highly heterogenous condition and explain why they are optimistic about what the future holds for those affected.
Mastocytosis, MCAS and beyond the skin in CSU
Episode 12 – Dr Frank Siebenhaar brings us up to date on the differences between mastocytosis, urticaria and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). He also introduces CSUplus, an ongoing UCARE project that aims to shed light on the extracutaneous symptoms of CSU.
Symptomatic dermographism
Episode 13 – Despite affecting up to 5% of the population, symptomatic dermographism remains understudied. Discover more about how our ability to diagnose and treat this common and debilitating condition is improving from urticaria expert, Dr Tomasz Hawro.
Exploring the CSU spectrum: Pure angioedema
Episode 16 – Did you know that not all patients with CSU develop wheals? Professor Connie Katelaris explains the unique challenges physicians face when diagnosing and managing people with CSU who have pure angioedema without wheals and offers advice on how to spot pseudoangioedema.
All things acute urticaria
Episode 17 – Did you know that around 20% of the population will experience acute urticaria sometime in their lifetime. Dr Angèle Soria explains the differences between acute urticaria and other urticarias, how to manage the condition, and what to look out for, and highlights her most recent publication.
Episode 96 – [This episode was recorded before 31 July 2024.] "Every chronic urticaria starts as acute urticaria, but not every acute urticaria becomes chronic." Associate Professor Dr Andaç Salman and Professor Marcus Maurer discuss causes of acute urticaria, how diagnosis and management can be improved, and UCARE’s research into drivers of “chronification”.
Gender differences in CU
Episode 27 – It is well known that chronic urticaria (CU) is more common in women than men, but why is this the case? In this episode, expert guest Professor Laurence Bouillet explores gender-based differences in this disease.
The pathogenesis of CSU: When will we have a cure?
Episode 28 – Does our current understanding of the pathogenesis of CSU provide hope of a cure for this challenging disease? Find out what Dr Riccardo Asero has to say as he joins our host to discuss some of the most fundamental questions in the field of urticariology.
Shining a light on solar urticaria
Episode 30 – Photodermatology expert, Professor Lesley Rhodes, sheds light on one of the rarer forms of chronic inducible urticaria: solar urticaria. This includes a practical guide to diagnosis and referral, as well as a summary of the unmet needs that remain in the management of this understudied condition.
The role of PAF and urticaria in adults
Episode 31 – Dr Ana Gimenez discusses new insights into the pathology of CU and how these insights can help guide treatment decisions. Dr Gimenez discusses the inflammatory mediators relevant in CU, with a particular focus on platelet-activating factor (PAF). She describes the role of PAF, its contribution to the development of signs and symptoms of CU, and why she considers PAF an important consideration in CSU.
CU and systemic auto-inflammatory syndromes
Episode 47 – Dr Sinisa Savic joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss CU and systemic auto-inflammatory syndromes, delving into differential diagnostic techniques and utilisation of genetics to determine causation of clinical presentations.
Recurrent angioedema in CSU
Episode 53 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Asli Gelincik to discuss recurrent angioedema in CSU, and treatment options that are currently available to alleviate this pathology. The mechanistic actions of mast cell-mediated angioedema and bradykinin-mediated angioedema are discussed, and their implications are analysed.
Mast cell involvement in CSU
Episode 54 – Professor Yoshimichi Okayama joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the role that mast cells play in the disease aetiology of CSU. In particular, the discussion focuses on mast cell receptors and how they can be utilised in the diagnosis of CSU.
Delayed pressure urticaria in the CSU landscape
Episode 55 – Professor Alicja Kasperska-Zajac joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss a rare form of chronic inducible urticaria – delayed pressure urticaria. The discussion highlights the difficulties in undertaking differential diagnosis and the main differences when compared with CSU, namely the absence of oedema and wheals.
Gut microbiome and chronic spontaneous urticaria
Episode 56 – Dr Jie Li joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the role of the gut microbiome in the disease progression of CSU. Particular focus is given to metabolism and homeostasis in people with CSU, how the gut microbiome can impact CSU presentation, and the impact it can have on the efficacy of treatments such as antihistamines.
Symptomatic dermographism in chronic urticaria
Episode 58 – Dr Melba Munoz joins Professor Marcus Maurer to take a deeper look at symptomatic dermographism. The pair discuss the involvement of mast cells in CSU and attempt to answer ongoing questions to help unravel the pathogenesis of dermographism in chronic urticaria.
Biomarkers in chronic urticaria
Episode 59 – Dr Murat Türk joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss biomarkers in CSU, focusing on immunoglobulin E (IgE). They emphasise the importance of using IgE testing appropriately, as a prognostic parameter rather than a diagnostic technique. The discussion expands into a comparison between basophil testing and IgE testing and explores the implications of these results for people with CSU.
IL-9, IL-10 and CSU pathogenesis
Episode 72 – Dermatologist Professor Kiran Godse joins Professor Marcus Maurer to explore the use of JAK and STAT inhibitors in the management of chronic urticaria and how these drugs may impact quality of life for people with this condition.
What is cold urticaria?
Episode 78 – “Wouldn’t it be nice to find a cure?” Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Aurélie Du-Thanh to discuss cold urticaria, covering risk factors, the diagnosis journey and the most suitable treatment options.
Managing autoimmune CSU
Episode 82 – “There’s still so much we need to learn.” Dr João Marcelino joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss autoimmune CSU, including indicative test results and hopes for the future.
The scientific approach to urticaria
Episode 90 – Professor Marcus Maurer welcomes Dr Jörg Scheffel to discuss urticaria, including techniques used to interrogate mast cells and examine interstitial fluid, and a technique used to identify autoimmune-mediated forms of urticaria.
Episode 94 – "We will only be able to cure this disease and treat it well if we know how it works." Back by popular demand, Dr Jörg Scheffel rejoins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the importance and intricacies of mast cell research in urticaria.
Obesity and urticaria
Episode 92 – Professor Christian Vestergaard and Professor Marcus Maurer discuss the link between obesity and urticaria, including how obesity contributes to chronic inflammation and the importance of P4 medicine (preventive, predictive, personalised, participatory) in urticaria treatment.
The similarities and differences between urticaria and mastocytosis
Episode 95 – This episode was recorded before July 31, 2024. Professor Marcus Maurer and Dr Sigurd Broesby-Olsen discuss similarities and differences between urticaria and mastocytosis, two mast cell diseases. They then turn their attention to treatment, sharing their thoughts on ‘killing’ mast cells and the development of more targeted and less toxic therapies.
Further resources
Efficacy of oral ruxolitinib in a patient with refractory chronic spontaneous urticaria
Urticaria Group of the French Society of Dermatology
Vibratory urticaria associated with a missense variant in ADGRE2
Risk factors for systemic reactions in typical cold urticaria: Results from the COLD-CE study
What basophil testing tells us about CSU patients – results of the CORSA study
Omalizumab in chronic spontaneous and inducible urticaria: A 9 year retrospective study in Portugal
Chronic urticaria and the pathogenic role of mast cells
Autoreactive IgE: Pathogenic role and therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases
Risk of comorbidities in patients diagnosed with chronic urticaria: A nationwide registry-study
Isolation and Culture of Human Skin Mast Cells
Mast cell–targeting therapies in mast cell activation syndromes
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of indolent systemic mastocytosis: Are we there yet?
Acute and chronic urticaria diagnosis and management taking into account their differences
Acute urticaria – GA2LEN Global Network of Excellence UCARE 2023 conference presentation
Project: CHAPEAU – GA2LEN Global Network of Excellence UCARE Network
Improving patient care with PROMs
Episode 3 – Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used to assess disease activity, impact, and control in people with urticaria. Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by PROM expert Dr Karsten Weller who explains that, while such tools are essential to improve the management of urticaria, they can be challenging to develop.
Beating the burden of CU
Episode 7 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by ‘UCARE father’ Dr Luis Felipe Ensina to discuss the frequently underestimated burden of urticaria, which Dr Ensina explains is not limited to the patients themselves but may indirectly impact numerous friends and family members as well.
CU in pregnancy and COVID-CU
Episode 9 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Emek Kocatürk Göncü, who addresses concerns regarding the impact of COVID-19 infection in people with CU and summarises the results of the recent UCARE project, PREG-CU.
Let’s talk comorbidities
Episode 21 – How do comorbidities affect people with CSU, and what can be done to minimise their impact? Find out more on this crucial, yet understudied, topic from Dr Simon Francis Thomsen.
Improving sleep quality in urticaria: More than just a dream?
Episode 25 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Caroline Mann, an urticariologist and sleep expert, who highlights the profound impact of sleep disturbance on quality of life in people with urticaria and explains what can be done to address this common – but often overlooked – aspect of the disease.
Paediatric urticaria: Challenges and solutions
Episode 29 – Paediatric urticaria expert and UCARE driving force Professor Petra Staubach-Renz reflects on her experience of treating children with CU and calls for more research into this important yet understudied group of patients.
CU: A North American perspective
Episode 39 – Professor Jonathan Bernstein discusses CU care in the USA, including the challenges faced by US-based physicians, and highlights the potential benefits of conducting further research into the diverse population living with CU in North America.
CU: An Indian perspective
Episode 40 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Kiran Godse, who shares his experiences of treating CSU in India. Professor Godse provides insights into the practicalities of CSU care, including economic considerations, as well as his plans to increase the UCARE network’s presence in India and facilitate wider dissemination of educational resources.
CU: A Middle Eastern perspective
Episode 41 – Dr Mona Al-Ahmad, from the UCARE centre in Kuwait, shares her insights into the UCARE network’s Middle Eastern activities. Dr Al-Ahmad also reflects on what more can be done to improve the lives of people living with CU and those caring for them.
CU: A Latin American perspective
Episode 42 – Dr Maximiliano Gómez shares his tips and tricks for improving the diagnosis and management of CU, and calls for wider dissemination of quality information to patients living in Argentina and beyond.
CU: A South African perspective
Episode 43 – Associate Professor Jonathan Peter (University of Cape Town and University of Cape Town Lung Institute, South Africa) explains regional differences in urticaria in South Africa, with a focus on epidemiology, patient beliefs and education, and the CRUSE app.
All things urticaria: A Turkish perspective
Episode 45 – Perspective Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Murat Türk and Dr Ragıp Ertaş of UCARE in Turkey to discuss advances in the treatments of urticaria, with a special focus on the implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
All things urticaria: A Chinese perspective
Episode 46 – During this episode, Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Zuotao Zhao of Beijing Medical University, China, to discuss the growing problem of CSU within the Chinese population and delve into possible causes of such a high incidence.
Psycho-neurodermatology in CU and mental health
Episode 49 – Professor Anna Zalewska-Janowska joins Professor Maurer to delve into fascinating area of psycho-neurodermatology and how this can impact the lives of individuals with urticaria. Professor Zalewska-Janowska highlights the importance of how urticaria is linked to neurogenic inflammation in CU.
Urticaria: A general practitioner’s perspective
Episode 64 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by GP Dr Dermot Ryan to discuss the role of GPs in the diagnosis and management of CU. Professor Maurer and Dr Ryan highlight the positive impact that physicians have in limiting patient distress while increasing patient confidence, despite the time-limited interactions. They also explore the impact of mistreatment on a patient’s life.
Angioedema and CSU
Episode 68 – Dr Régis de Albuquerque Campos joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the implications of angioedema and its impact on people living with CSU. Dr Campos highlights diverse aspects of the burden of CSU and the impact misdiagnosis has on quality of life. Professor Maurer provides an overview of the current treatment landscape, differential diagnosis, unmet needs in angioedema clinical trials and the utilisation of omalizumab in managing angioedema associated with CSU.
The burdens of angioedema
Episode 69 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Paula Busse to explore the multifaceted burdens of angioedema for patients and physicians. They discuss issues surrounding timely diagnosis, interpreting ambiguous symptoms, patient concerns about medications, and enhancing quality of life monitoring.
Urticaria and stress
Episode 73 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Eduardo Souza Lima to explore the relationship between stress and urticaria, and the implications of mast cells and neuropeptides in CSU.
Urticaria in a veterinary setting
Episode 75 – In response to listener requests, Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by veterinary specialist Professor Ralf Mueller to discuss how urticaria affects animals, including similarities and differences with the condition in humans and the challenges of treating performance animals.
Clinical nurse specialists: Leading collaborative care
Episode 76 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Clinical Nurse Specialist Lorena Lorenzo to discuss the responsibilities of the nurse’s role, and the potential benefits it brings for people living with urticaria.
CU: A Hong Kong perspective
Episode 86 – Professor Marcus Maurer welcomes Professor Philip Li to discuss the management of urticaria in Hong Kong, including access to effective treatments and socioeconomic and cultural factors.
Urticaria and sport
Episode 88 – Associate Professor Elena Borzova joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss exercise as a trigger for urticaria in some athletes, including the paradoxical protective effect of exercise in people with urticaria.
Is clinical remission in urticaria possible?
Episode 89 – Professor Elias Toubi joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss remission in urticaria, including its definition and possible risk factors for long disease duration.
Further resources
https://ga2len-ucare.com/levelup-educational-program/
https://ucare-4u.com/en/home-en/
Clinical review: The suggested management pathway for urticaria in primary care
https://chronic-angioedema-registry.com/
Neuro–immuno–psychological aspects of chronic urticaria
Exaggerated neurophysiological responses to stressor in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria
Disease activity and stress are linked in a subpopulation of chronic spontaneous urticaria patients
Immunology nursing competency framework
Sponsored: When is a swelling not an allergy?
Hong Kong–Macau severe hives and angioedema referral pathway
Exercise-induced urticaria: A rare case report
Who cares? UCARE
Episode 1 – As of September 2020, there are 110 certified UCARE centres spanning a total of 38 countries around the world. In this episode, Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by UCARE cofounder Dr Ana Giménez-Arnau to discuss the history of the UCARE network and offer practical advice to those seeking to become a member.
All things angioedema
Episode 10 – Angioedema expert and Angioedema Centers of Reference and Excellence (ACARE) founding father, Professor Markus Magerl, joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss all things angioedema and get the latest on the ever-growing ACARE network.
COLD-CE: Insights from a UCARE project
Episode 14 – Since its inception in 2018, COLD-CE has collected data on hundreds of patients with cold urticaria from around the world. In this episode, Dr Mojca Bizjak reflects on her experience of running a UCARE project, offering insight and advice for those hoping to do so in the future.
All things UCARE
Episode 15 – For those just starting out on their UCARE journey, the extensive list of criteria can seem daunting. In this episode, Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Kanokvalai Kulthanan, who offers her advice on tackling the application process.
All things ACARE
Episode 26 – Are you familiar with ACARE? Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Anete Grumach to celebrate the recent successes of the ACARE network and discuss the future of this exciting initiative.
UCARE LevelUp
Episode 32 – Dr Iman Nasr discusses UCARE LevelUp, an educational programme devised by the UCARE network to allow healthcare professionals to learn, network and share best clinical practices in CU. Dr Nasr also touches on UCARE 4U, the UCARE patient information and education platform and programme.
UCARE behind the scenes special (Part 1)
Episode 37 – In this special two-part episode, Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by four of his UCARE office colleagues to give listeners exclusive insight into the inner workings of the UCARE network, including advice on how to become a UCARE centre and updates on exciting new UCARE initiatives.
UCARE behind the scenes special (Part 2)
Episode 38 – In part two of this special episode, Professor Marcus Maurer is joined once again by his colleagues from the UCARE office to discuss the UCARE LevelUp and UCARE 4U programmes, which aim to inform and educate patients and physicians on the management of CU. To find out more information on UCARE, please visit ga2len-ucare.com.
CSU: Never give up
Episode 51 – Professor Silvia Ferrucci joins Professor Marcus Maurer in discussing what the phrase ‘never give up’ means to physicians treating urticaria, and for patients embarking on their treatment journey. Areas of special focus are given to guideline treatment algorithms and the implementation of the CRUSE app and Chronic Urticaria Registry (CURE) as tools to shift the balance of treating urticaria.
The importance of the chronic urticaria registry (CURE)
Episode 57 – Dr Pavel Kolkhir joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss CURE, including explanations of the aims of CURE in collecting quality, real-life data on chronic urticaria patient characteristics, the course of disease, underlying causes, comorbidities, treatment responses, quality of life impairment and healthcare costs.
Chronic Angioedema Registry (CARE)
Episode 83 – “I think CARE will grow and grow.” Dr Thomas Buttgereit joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the recently launched Chronic Angioedema Registry (CARE), including benefits for patients, current capabilities and how to get involved.
Further resources
The guideline guru
Episode 6 – With the sixth consensus meeting on the EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO guideline for urticaria fast approaching, Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Torsten Zuberbier, who explains what you can expect from this new edition.
Unanswered questions in CSU
Episode 19 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by UK-based dermatologist Dr Clive Grattan to address some of the most important unanswered questions in the field of CSU.
Paediatric urticaria: Current practice and future prospects
Episode 33 – Dr Vicky Xepapadaki joins the podcast to share her knowledge of paediatric urticaria, including current treatment strategies and unmet needs. Dr Xepapadaki also reflects on the importance of involving parents in clinical decision-making and highlights some of the key differences between adult and paediatric patients.
Improving urticaria education: An international perspective
Episode 34 – Dr Désirée Larenas-Linnemann joins our host to discuss the importance of providing better education on urticaria for patients and physicians around the world. Dr Larenas-Linnemann also highlights international differences in educational needs and the role of UCARE programmes in addressing these.
Audience proposed question: Guidance for potential treatments of CSU
Episode 65 – Professor Martin Metz joins Professor Marcus Maurer to answer an audience proposed question focusing on what will guide physicians in the recommendations for individual patients to identify the most beneficial treatment option to treat chronic spontaneous and inducible urticaria. Both experts delve into the current treatment options available, and treatments that are currently in clinical trials.
Angioedema and artificial intelligence
Episode 67 – Professor Markus Magerl joins Professor Marcus Maurer to explore the significance of differential diagnosis in the identification of angioedema in CSU. Professor Magerl takes a deep dive into the prospective use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the analysis of data derived from a questionnaire utilising algorithmic models. Maurer and Magerl reflect on the implications AI could have in enhancing the diagnostic accuracy of angioedema.
Urticaria management in resource-poor settings
Episode 70 – Dr Désirée Larenas-Linnemann and Professor Marcus Maurer delve into best practices for urticaria management in resource-poor settings, underlining the crucial role of accurate diagnosis and adherence to established guidelines. They also address trending topics in angioedema and urticaria treatment, such as antihistamine up-dosing and the complexities surrounding triple-combination therapies and the need for better education.
Further resources
Chronic spontaneous urticaria: Focus on pathophysiology to unlock treatment advances
Chronic urticaria and the pathogenic role of mast cells
10 Questions - Using AI for diagnosing your or your patient´s angioedema
Diferences and similarities in the mechanisms and clinical expression of bradykinin‑mediated vs. mast cell–mediated angioedema
Case report: Recurrent angioedema: Diagnosing the rare and the frequent
Mexican guide for the diagnosis and treatment of urticaria
Histamine, antihistamines, and the future of urticariology
Episode 8 – Professor Martin Church reflects on the enormous progress that has been made in the field of urticariology and discusses what is yet to come for people with this disease.
Not just small adults: Managing paediatric CSU
Episode 20 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Moshe Ben-Shoshan, who shares his pioneering approach to treating paediatric patients and draws on his experience to debunk some of the common myths surrounding childhood urticaria.
What’s new in CSU?
Episode 22 – Dr Young-Min Ye shares the findings from her cutting-edge research into predictors of remission in CU and explains what is currently known about the role of Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-X2 (MRGPRX2) in the activation of mast cells.
The truth about T cells
Episode 23 – Could targeting cytokines produced by autoreactive T cells benefit people with CSU? Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Elias Toubi to discuss the role of T cells in this disease.
Communication technology meets urticariology
Episode 24 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Ivan Chérrez Ojeda, an urticariologist and communication technology enthusiast, to discuss the potential application of telemedicine in the management of CU.
All things urticaria: COVID-19 vaccinations
Episode 44 – Professor Emek Kocatürk joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with CSU, and how COVID-19 vaccines impacted the exasperation of CSU as part of the COVAC-CU study.
The development of treating urticaria over the last 2 decades
Episode 50 – Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Luis Felipe Ensina to discuss the founding days of urticaria treatment and how urticaria clinics became available. Professor Maurer and Professor Ensina discuss how the treatment landscape, diagnostic techniques and further developments in the advancement of how clinicians treat people with urticaria have evolved over the last 2 decades.
Drug survivability of omalizumab in chronic urticaria
Episode 52 – Dr Heike Röckmann, head of the drug survivability of omalizumab in CU (DruSO-CU) project, joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the global project, the difficulties encountered and how the UCARE network helped overcome these challenges. The focus of this podcast is on the importance of identifying the data in this important project.
Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of CSU
Episode 61 – Professor Karla Arruda and Professor Marcus Maurer discuss the development and implementation of UCARE in Brazil, and its potential benefits for individuals with CSU. The conversation extends towards exploring the framework of the Brazilian UCARE centres and projects, and how it can be implemented in other countries. Professor Maurer delves into the clinical efficacy, advantages, and impact on patient quality of life of utilising Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors for the treatment of CSU, along with further discussion on alternative treatments.
The role of angioedema in the treatment of CSU
Episode 62 – Professor Marcus Maurer is accompanied by Professor Marc Riedl to delve into the symptomatology and pathophysiology of angioedema in CSU. The mechanistic aetiology of angioedema within the context of CSU pathology is also explored. Professor Marc Riedl examines therapeutic treatments for patients concurrently experiencing angioedema in CSU while exploring how the characterisation of autoimmune and auto-allergic pathophysiological mechanisms can impact treatment decisions.
Soluble IgE receptor in urticaria
Episode 63 – Professor Marcus Maurer asks Dr Sherezade Moñino-Romero about her research into soluble IgE receptor and its potential as a marker of treatment response in CU. They also discuss the art of communicating science to the public and why it is so vital to do it effectively.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in CSU
Episode 74 – Professor Riccardo Asero joins Professor Marcus Maurer to offer advice on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs in people with CSU. The experts discuss risk assessment and strategies to avoid respiratory and cutaneous hypersensitivity reactions in people who require these common medications to manage comorbidities.
Antihistamines and urticaria
Episode 77 – “We treat until it’s gone.” Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Gordon Sussman to discuss the use of antihistamines in people with urticaria, covering the history, side effects, safety and best practices.
Does country make a difference?
Episode 84 – “This is a global problem that requires global solutions, but I think they do come from what we learn in our settings.” Professor Marcus Maurer welcomes Dr Clive Grattan to discuss the differences in the treatment and management of urticaria across the UK and Germany, including guideline recommendations and new treatments on the horizon.
How can we educate dermatologists on urticaria?
Episode 85 – Dr Jason Hawkes joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss dermatologists’ lack of urticaria knowledge, including tips on encouraging the US dermatology community to use resources such as the CRUSE app.
Clinical trials in urticaria
Episode 87 – Professor Marcus Maurer welcomes Dr Carolina Vera Ayala and Associate Professor Jonny Peter to discuss participation in clinical trials for urticaria, including patient concerns around placebo treatment.
Episode 97 – This episode was recorded before 31 July 2024. Professor Marcus Maurer, Dr Carolina Vera Ayala, and Associate Professor Jonny Peter discuss how new therapeutics progress through the development pipeline, noting the “huge amount of data” required on safety before a molecule enters clinical trials. They also shed light on drug repurposing and why children are a “critical group” for inclusion in trials.
The use of corticosteroids in urticaria
Episode 93 – Dr Maryam Ali Al-Nesf joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss one of the big burdens of chronic urticaria: the "use, or should we say abuse, of cortisone" in CSU.
How should I treat patients who experience a slow or partial response?
Episode 99 – Professors Torsten Zuberbier and Dave Khan share their experiences and approaches to treating people with refractory CSU, noting the importance of ensuring a correct diagnosis and following guideline recommendations.
Further resources
10 Questions - Using AI for diagnosing your or your patient´s angioedema
Consensus on treatment goals in hereditary angioedema: A global Delphi initiative
Total IgE as a marker for chronic spontaneous urticaria
https://www.twitch.tv/sherezademr
https://twitter.com/sherezade_mr
https://www.tiktok.com/@sherezademr
https://www.youtube.com/@sherezademr
Progress in understanding hypersensitivity reactions to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Key messages: Urticaria guidelines
Urticaria: A comprehensive review
Hives: Diagnosis and treatment
What is clinical research and why is it done?
A patient charter for chronic urticaria
Chronic urticaria: unmet needs, emerging drugs, and new perspectives on personalised treatment
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Episodes 1 – 61: This content has been developed independently of the sponsor, Novartis Pharma AG, who has had no editorial input into the content. Medthority received educational funding from the sponsor in order to help provide its healthcare professional members with access to the highest quality medical and scientific information, education and associated relevant content. This podcast series has been developed in collaboration with GA²LEN Global Network of Excellence.
Episode 31 and 33: This content has been in collaboration with J. Uriach y Compañía S.A.
Episode 62 onwards: This content has been developed by GA²LEN Global Network of Excellence in collaboration with Medthority. Medthority received educational funding from the sponsor in order to help provide its healthcare professional members with access to the highest quality medical and scientific information, education and associated relevant content.
All opinions expressed in the ‘All things Urticaria’ podcast series are those of the invited faculty. This content should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Please consult your regional clinical practice guidelines for clinical practice recommendations in your area.
For more information about the UCARE/ACARE network and its activities please visit: UCARE Website, UCARE LevelUp Program, ACARE Website, UCARE 4U Website, UDAY Website, CRUSE Control App and CURE Registry.