All Things Urticaria: Podcasts

All Things Urticaria: Podcasts

The following podcasts are brought to you by the Urticaria Centres of Reference and Excellence (UCARE) network. The UCARE network aims to provide excellence in urticaria management, increase knowledge of urticaria via research, studies, and education, and promote awareness of urticaria through advocacy activities¹. In these podcasts our host, Professor Marcus Maurer, is joined by his friends and colleagues to discuss ‘All Things Urticaria’.

Check out our latest podcast 'The patient perspective' with Tonya Winders

Episode 71: The patient perspective

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 chronic spontaneous urticaria. Both experts explore patient unmet needs and highlight methods clinicians can use to help overcome these barriers.

Do you have suggestions for future episodes? Please provide feedback and offer your suggestions for future topics and expert selection here.

For more information on all UCARE activities, please visit https://ga2len-ucare.com/ and utilise the following external links to access additional resources relating to the topics discussed in this episode: UDAY Website and the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform.

Episode 70: Urticaria management in resource-poor settings

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.

Do you have suggestions for future episodes? Please provide feedback and offer your suggestions for future topics and expert selection here.

For more information on all UCARE activities, please visit https://ga2len-ucare.com/ and utilise the following external links to access additional resources relating to the topics discussed in this episode: Mexican Guide to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Urticaria | Allergy Magazine Mexico (revistaalergia.mx), CRUSE Control App, Urticaria Control Test (Survey), Urticaria network e.V, Urticaria Test Selection and the MOXIE Website.

Episode 69: The burdens of angioedema

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.

Do you have suggestions for future episodes? Please provide feedback and offer your suggestions for future topics and expert selection here.

For more information on all UCARE activities please visit https://ga2len-ucare.com/ and utilise the following external links to access additional resources relating to the topics discussed in this episode: Assessment of disease activity and quality of life in patients with recurrent bradykinin-mediated versus mast cell-mediated angioedema, The international WAO/EAACI guideline for the management of hereditary angioedema – The 2021 revision and update, CARE Registry and the ACARE website.

Episode 68: Angioedema and CSU

Dr Régis de Albuquerque Campos joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the implications of angioedema and its impact on people living with chronic spontaneous urticaria (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.

Do you have suggestions for future episodes? Please provide feedback and offer your suggestions for future topics and expert selection here.

For more information on all UCARE activities please visit https://ga2len-ucare.com/ and utilise the following external links to access additional resources relating to topics discussed in this episode: A Comprehensive Review of Bradykinin-Induced Angioedema Versus Histamine-Induced Angioedema in the Emergency Department, Isolated angioedema: A review of classification and update on management and The international WAO/EAACI guideline for the management of hereditary angioedema-The 2021 revision and update.

Episode 67: Angioedema and artificial intelligence

Professor Markus Magerl joins Professor Marcus Maurer in this episode to explore the significance of differential diagnosis in the identification of angioedema in chronic spontaneous urticaria (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. Both professors, Maurer and Magerl, discuss the implications AI can have in enhancing the diagnostic accuracy of angioedema.

Do you have suggestions for future episodes? Please provide feedback and offer your suggestions for future topics and expert selection here.

For more information on all UCARE activities please visit: https://ga2len-ucare.com/ and utilise the following external links to access additional resources relating to the topics discussed in this episode: 10 Questions - Using AI for diagnosing your or your patient´s angioedema, Differences and Similarities in the Mechanisms and Clinical Expression of Bradykinin‑Mediated vs. Mast Cell–Mediated Angioedema and Case Report: Recurrent Angioedema: Diagnosing the Rare and the Frequent.

Episode 66: Urticaria and the CRUSE app

Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Aistė Ramanauskaitė to explore the CRUSE app's potential advantages for individuals suffering from chronic spontaneous urticaria. 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.

Do you have suggestions for future episodes? Please provide feedback and offer your suggestions for future topics and expert selection here.

For more information on all UCARE activities please visit: https://ga2len-ucare.com/ and utilise the following external links to access additional resources relating to the topics discussed in this episode: U-Day Website, CRUSE Control App and the UCARE YouTube Channel.

Episode 65: Audience proposed question: Guidance for potential treatments of CSU

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 exciting treatments that are currently in clinical trials.

Do you have suggestions for future episodes? Please provide feedback and offer your suggestions for future topics and expert selection here.

For more information on all UCARE activities please visit: https://ga2len-ucare.com/ and utilise the following external links to access additional resources relating to the topics discussed in this episode: Dupilumab in CSU, Remibrutinib in CSU, Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibition—An emerging therapeutic strategy in immune-mediated dermatological conditions, An open-label, proof-of-concept study of lirentelimab for antihistamine-resistant chronic spontaneous and inducible urticaria, Barzolvolimab in mast cell depletion, Chronic spontaneous urticaria: Focus on pathophysiology to unlock treatment advances, Chronic urticaria and the pathogenic role of mast cells and Urticaria (an overview).

Episode 64: Urticaria: A general practitioner’s perspective

Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by GP Dr Dermot Ryan to discuss the role of GPs in the diagnosis and management of chronic urticaria. 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.

Do you have suggestions for future episodes? Please provide feedback and offer your suggestions for future topics and expert selection here.

For more information on all UCARE activities please visit: UCARE and utilise the following external links to access additional resources relating to the topics discussed in this episode: 

The UCARE centres, UCARE LevelUp and 4U, CRUSE Control App, The international EAACI/GA²LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI guideline for the definition and Clinical review: The suggested management pathway for urticaria in primary care. 

Episode 63: Soluble IgE receptor in urticaria

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 chronic urticaria. They also discuss the art of communicating science to the public and why it is so vital to do it effectively.

Do you have suggestions for future episodes? Please provide feedback and offer your suggestions for future topics and expert selection here.

For more information on all UCARE activities please visit: https://ga2len-ucare.com/ and utilise the following external links to access additional resources relating to the topics discussed in this episode:

Positive basophil tests are linked to high disease activity and other features of autoimmune chronic spontaneous urticaria: A systematic review, Total IgE as a Marker for Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria and Soluble IgE-binding factors in the serum of food-allergic patients: Possible pathophysiological role of soluble FcεRI as protective factor.

Follow Sherezade’s work on her website and socials via the following links: Twitch, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube.

Episode 62: The role of angioedema in the treatment of CSU

Professor Marcus Maurer is accompanied by Professor Marc Riedl to delve into the symptomatology and pathophysiology of angioedema in chronic spontaneous urticaria (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.

Do you have suggestions for future episodes? Please provide feedback and offer your suggestions for future topics and expert selection here.

For more information on all UCARE activities please visit: https://ga2len-ucare.com/ and utilise the following external links to access additional resources relating to the topics discussed in this episode:

Angioedema - Ten Questions, Differences and Similarities in the Mechanisms and Clinical Expression of Bradykinin-Mediated vs. Mast Cell–Mediated Angioedema, WAO/EAACI guideline for HAE, The international EAACI/GA²LEN/EuroGuiDerm/APAAACI guideline for the definition, classification, diagnosis, and management of urticaria, and Consensus on treatment goals in hereditary angioedema.

Episode 61: Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of CSU 

Professor Karla Arruda and Professor Marcus Maurer discuss the development and implementation of UCARE in Brazil, and its potential benefits for individuals suffering from chronic spontaneous urticaria (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 of alternative treatments.

Episode 60: Updates from AAAAI Conference 2023

Professors Marcus Maurer and 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. In particular, 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. 

Episode 59: Biomarkers in Chronic Urticaria

Dr. Murat Türk has joined Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss biomarkers in chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), focusing on immunoglobulin E (IgE) in particular. They emphasise the importance of using IgE testing appropriately in the treatment of CSU; 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 patients with CSU. 

Episode 58: Symptomatic dermographism in Chronic Urticaria

Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Melba Munoz to take a deep dive into symptomatic dermographism. The discussion aims to explain the involvement of mast cells in CSU patients and attempts to answer some ongoing questions to help unravel the pathogenesis of dermographism in chronic urticaria.

Episode 57: The importance of the Chronic Urticaria Registry (CURE)

Dr Pavel Kolkhir joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the Chronic Urticaria Registry (CURE). The discussion includes 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 health care costs.

Episode 56: Gut microbiome and Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Jie Li to discuss the role the gut microbiome plays in the disease progression of CSU. A particular focus is given to metabolism and homeostasis in patients with CSU, how the gut microbiome can impact CSU presentation, and the impact it can have on the efficacy of treatments such as antihistamines.

Episode 55: Delayed pressure urticaria in the CSU landscape

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 to chronic spontaneous urticaria, namely the absence of oedema and wheals. 

Episode 54: Mast Cell Involvement in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Professor Yoshimichi Okayama joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the role which mast cells play in the disease aetiology of chronic spontaneous urticaria. In particular, the discussion focuses on mast cell receptors and how they can be utilised in the diagnosis of CSU.

Episode 53: Recurrent Angioedema in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria

Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Asli Gelincik as they discuss recurrent angioedema in chronic spontaneous urticaria, and treatment options which 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.

Episode 52: Drug Survivability of Omalizumab in Chronic Urticaria

Dr Heike Röckmann, head of the drug survivability of omalizumab in chronic urticaria (DruSO-CU) project joins Professor Marcus Maurer to discuss the global project, the difficulties which were 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.

Episode 51: Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: Never Give Up 

In this episode, 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.

Episode 50: The development of treating urticaria over the last 2 decades 

Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Luis Felipe Ensina where they discuss the founding days of urticaria treatment, and how urticaria clinics became available. Professor Maurer and Professor Ensina discussed how the treatment landscape, diagnostic techniques and further developments in the advancement of how clinicians treat patients with urticaria have evolved over the last two decades.

Episode 49: Psycho-neurodermatology in chronic urticaria and mental health

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. Prof. Zalewska-Janowska highlights the importance of how urticaria is linked to neurogenic inflammation in chronic urticaria. 

Episode 48: Patient advocacy and seeing through the patient’s eyes

In this episode Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by patient and patient advocate Elaine, who experiences chronic urticaria. She highlights the importance of connecting patients with each other, and discusses the opportunities that arise when patients work together with healthcare professionals.

Episode 47: Chronic Urticaria and Systemic Auto-Inflammatory Syndromes

Dr Sinisa Savic joins Professor Dr Marcus Maurer in this podcast to discuss chronic urticarias and systemic auto-inflammatory syndromes, delving into differential diagnostic techniques and utilisation of genetics to determine causation of clinical presentations. 

Episode 46: All Things Urticaria: A Chinese Perspective

During this episode, Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Zuotao Zhao of Beijing Medical University, China, to discuss the growing problem of chronic spontaneous urticaria within the Chinese population and delve into possible causes of such a high incidence. 

Episode 45: All Things Urticaria: A Turkish Perspective

Perspective Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Murat Türk and Dr Ragıp Ertaş of UCARE in Turkey to discuss advancements in the treatments of urticaria, with a special focus on the implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Episode 44: All Things Urticaria: COVID 19 Vaccinations

Prof. Emek Kocatürk joins Professor Marcus Maurer in this episode of All Things Urticaria to discuss the effects of the COVID 19 pandemic on CSU patients, and how COVID 19 vaccines impacted the exasperation of chronic spontaneous urticaria as part of the COVAC-CU study.

Episode 43: Chronic Urticaria: A South African Perspective

Hear Associate Professor Jonathan Peter (Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Allergy and Immunology Unit, University of Cape Town Lung Institute, South Africa) explain regional differences in urticaria in South Africa, with a focus on epidemiology, patient beliefs and education, and the CRUSE App.

Episode 42: Chronic Urticaria: A Latin American Perspective

In this episode, Dr Maximiliano Gómez shares his tips and tricks for improving the diagnosis and management of chronic urticaria and calls for wider dissemination of good quality information to patients living in Argentina and beyond. 

Episode 41: Chronic Urticaria: A Middle Eastern Perspective

Dr Mona Al-Ahmad joins the podcast from the UCARE centre in Kuwait to share her insights into the UCARE network’s Middle Eastern activities. Dr Al-Ahmad also takes time to reflect on what more can be done to improve the lives of people living with chronic urticaria and those caring for them.

Episode 40: Chronic Urticaria: An Indian Perspective 

In this episode, our host is joined by Professor Kiran Godse who shares his experiences of treating CSU in India. Professor Godse provides unmissable 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.

Episode 39: Chronic Urticaria: A North American Perspective 

Professor Jonathan Bernstein joins the podcast to discuss chronic urticaria (CU) care in the USA. In this episode, Professor Bernstein shines a light on 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.

Episode 38: UCARE Behind the Scenes Special (Part 2)

In part two of this very 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 chronic urticaria. To find out more information on UCARE, please visit ga2len-ucare.com.

Episode 37: UCARE Behind the Scenes Special (Part 1)

In this very special two-part episode, Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by not one, but 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. 

Episode 36: Are you CSU aware?

In this episode, our host 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.

Episode 35: CRUSE CONTROL: A Chronic Urticaria Self-Evaluation App

In this episode, Dr Sophia Neisinger joins the podcast to introduce the CRUSE CONTROL app, which has been developed to help support chronic spontaneous urticaria self-evaluation and aims to improve patient quality of life. 

Episode 34: Improving urticaria education: an international perspective

In this episode, 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.

Episode 33: Paediatric Urticaria: Current Practice and Future Prospects

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 paediatrics patients.

Episode 32: UCARE LevelUp

In this episode, Dr Iman Nasr discusses UCARE LevelUp, an educational program devised by the UCARE network to allow healthcare professionals to learn, network and share best clinical practices in chronic urticaria. Dr Nasr also touches on UCARE 4U, the UCARE patient information and education platform and programme.

Episode 31: The Role of PAF and Urticaria in Adults

In this episode, Dr Ana Gimenez discusses new insights into the pathology of chronic urticaria and how these insights can help guide treatment decisions. Dr Gimenez discusses the inflammatory mediators relevant in chronic urticaria, 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 chronic urticaria, and why she considers PAF an important consideration in chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Episode 30: Shining a Light on Solar Urticaria

In this episode, 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.

Episode 29: Paediatric Urticaria: Challenges and Solutions 

In this episode, paediatric urticaria expert and UCARE driving force, Professor Petra Staubach-Renz reflects on her experience of treating children with chronic urticaria and calls for more research into this important yet understudied group of patients. 

Episode 28: The pathogenesis of CSU: when will we have a cure?

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.

Episode 27: Gender differences in chronic urticaria

It is well known tha chronic urticaria is more common in women than men, but why is this the case? In this episode, our expert guest, Professor Laurence Bouillet, explores gender-based differences in this disease.

Episode 26: All Things ACARE

Are you familiar with Angioedema Centers of Reference and Excellence (ACARE)? In this episode, our host is joined by Dr Anete Grumach, to celebrate the recent successes of the ACARE network and discuss the future of this exciting initiative.

Episode 25: Improving sleep quality in urticaria: more than just a dream?

In this episode, our host is joined by Dr Caroline Mann, an urticariologist and sleep expert, who highlights the profound impact of sleep disturbance on quality of life in patients with urticaria and explains what can be done to address this common, but often overlooked aspect of the disease.

Episode 24: Communication technology meets urticariology

In this episode, our host is joined by Dr Ivan Chérrez Ojeda, an urticariologist and communication technology enthusiast, to discuss the potential application of telemedicine in the management of patients with chronic urticaria.

Episode 23: The Truth About T Cells

Could targeting cytokines produced by autoreactive T cells benefit patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria? Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Professor Elias Toubi to discuss the role of T cells in this disease.

Episode 22: What’s new in CSU?

In this episode, Dr Young-Min Ye shares the findings from her cutting-edge research into predictors of remission in chronic urticaria and explains what is currently known about the role of Mas-related G protein coupled receptor X2 (MRGPRX2) in the activation of mast cells.

Episode 21: Let’s talk comorbidities

How do comorbidities affect patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria and what can be done to minimise their impact? Find out more on this crucial, yet understudies topic from our latest guest, Dr Simon Francis Thomsen.

Episode 20: Not Just Small Adults: Managing Paediatric CSU

In this episode, our host 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. 

Episode 19: Unanswered Questions in CSU

In this episode, our host is joined by UK-based dermatologist, Dr Clive Grattan, to address some of the most important unanswered questions in the field of chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Episode 18: The Patient Voice

In this very special episode, our host meets Cassandra, a patient who has been affected by CSU for many years. Listen now for unmissable insights into the patient experience and to find out more about what you can do to better support your own patients in the future.

Episode 17: All Things Acute Urticaria

Did you know that around 20% of the population will experience acute urticaria sometime in their lifetime²? In this episode, 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 16: Exploring the CSU spectrum: pure angioedema

Did you know that not all patients with CSU develop wheals? In this episode, Professor Connie Katelaris explains the unique challenges physicians face when diagnosing and managing CSU patients who have pure angioedema without wheals and offers advice on how to spot pseudoangioedema.

Episode 15: All Things UCARE

For those just starting out on their UCARE journey, the extensive list of criteria can seem daunting. In this episode, our host is joined by Professor Kanokvalai Kulthanan, who offers her advice on tackling the application process.

Episode 14: COLD-CE: Insights from a UCARE Project

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. 

Episode 13: Symptomatic Dermographism

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. 

Episode 12: Mastocytosis, MCAS and Beyond the Skin in CSU

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 chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Episode 11: When doctor becomes patient

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 anti-TPO IgE in this disease.

Episode 10: All Things Angioedema

Angioedema expert and 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.

Episode 9: Chronic Urticaria in Pregnancy and COVID-CU

Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by Dr Emek Kocatürk Göncü who addresses concerns regarding the impact of COVID-19 infection in patients with chronic urticaria and summarises the results of the recent UCARE project, PREG-CU. 

Episode 8: Histamine, antihistamines, and the future of urticariology

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 patients with this devastating disease.

Episode 7: Beating the Burden of Chronic Urticaria

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.

Episode 6: The Guideline Guru

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. 

Episode 5: Cold Urticaria: The Future is Bright

In this episode, 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.

Episode 4: Sweat it out

In cholinergic urticaria, symptoms may arise as a result from any activity that induces sweating. In this episode, Professor Marcus Maurer is joined by cholinergic urticaria expert, Dr Sabine Altrichter, who provides insight into what is currently known about this debilitating condition.

Episode 3: Improving patient care with PROMs

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used to assess disease activity, impact, and control in patients with urticaria³. In this episode, 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.

Episode 2: Getting a grip on itch

Itch can have a profound impact on quality of life in patients with urticaria⁴. In this episode, 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.

Episode 1: Who cares? UCARE

As of September 2020, there are 110 certified UCARE centres spanning a total of 38 countries around the world⁵. 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.

What to find out more? Visit the UCARE website