Activities - Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network

Knowledge & Connection

What we offer

A clearer, more modern overview of how Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network supports research, learning and impact across the allergy and asthma community.

A platform for researchers

We provide an integrated platform for research in allergy and asthma with harmonized tools and methods in our centres. The network, now spanning centres in 20 countries, benefits from European diversity for risk factor studies and prevention schemes. Pilot protocols for clinical studies have already been tested across several Network of Excellence centres, opening the door to further public-private collaboration. The network aims to develop novel biomarkers, treatment approaches and preventive strategies.

Research collaboration across centres

Guidelines and lifelong learning

Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network e.V. promotes the development of a high-level, large-scale international and multidisciplinary scientific community. Allergy schools, training sessions and e-learning support the clinical and research activities of junior scientists and health professionals. Scientists can also use the Network of Excellence communication platform and programmes for mobility and exchange.

Education, training and exchange

For patients, public and policy makers

The prevalence of allergic diseases has been increasing in the European population over the last decades, especially in children. Allergic diseases are currently insufficiently diagnosed, suboptimally managed and generally undertreated. The Network of Excellence contributes to raising awareness of this public health challenge and develops educational material for patients, the general public and policy makers.

Awareness, education and public health impact

A platform for researchers
We provide an integrated platform for research in allergy and asthma with harmonized tools and methods in its centres. The network that has now centres in 20 countries can benefit from the European diversity for risk factors studies and prevention schemes. Pilot protocols for clinical studies in several Network of Excellence centres have been tested, which could open the door to further public-private collaboration. The network aims at developing novel biomarkers, treatment and preventive strategies.

Guidelines and lifelong learning
Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network e.V. promotes the development of a high-level, large scale international and multidisciplinary scientific community. Allergy schools, training sessions and e-learning support the clinical and research activities of junior scientists and health professionals. Scientists can use the Network of Excellence communication platform and programmes for mobility and exchange.

For patients, public and policy makers
The prevalence of allergic diseases has been increasing in the European population over the last decades, most clearly in children. Allergic diseases are currently insufficiently diagnosed, suboptimally managed and generally undertreated. Network of Excellence contributes to raising awareness on this public health problem and develops educational material for patients and the general public.

Our activities

Select activities

Our Special App

Scientific Projects

PROMS

UCARE 4U

Guidelines

Podcast

Webinars

Publications

Our special Apps

CRUSE App

CRUSE® stands for ChRonic Urticaria Self Evaluation
The CRUSE® advantage for patients and physicians

CRUSE® enables patients to fill out their Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROMs) daily on their smart device

CRUSE® reminds patients daily to monitor their quality of life through push notification

CRUSE® allows patients to send a report of their PROM scores to their treating physician via Email, QR, WhatsApp or other communication paths

CRUSE® promotes continued monitoring and documentation of CSU disease activity, impact and control that is needed for patients to receive optimal treatment

Download App

MASTHAVE App

MASTHAVE® was developed by leading experts in the field of mastocytosis to help patients document the course of their disease. It only takes a few minutes a day to document your symptoms and their impact on your quality of life.

Continuous monitoring
Record your mastocytosis activity and possible symptom triggers on a daily basis. This will allow you to track changes in your symptoms and medication use.

Overview of disease course
Document your disease course and evaluate the effects of your treatment and lifestyle changes. This information can help you and your doctor make informed decisions about your treatment.

Convenient data exchange
Easily share your results with your doctor as a PDF or QR code. This facilitates information sharing and collaboration.

Download App

PROMS

What are Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMS)?
PROMS are tools to measure and assess diseases such as urticaria. These questionnaires are a useful tool in order to document urticaria activity and patient’s symptom control as well as quality of life at initial presentation and changes in response to treatment.
Examples for PROMS in relation to Angioedema are the AECT (Angioedema Control Test) or the AE-Quol (Angioedema Quality of Life Instrument).
Examples for PROMs used for urticaria include the Urticaria Activity Score (UAS), the Urticaria Control Test (UCT) and the Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire (CUQ2oL).

Select ACARE PROMS

Select MAST²CARE PROMS

Select UCARE PROMS

Guidelines

We provide comprehensive guidelines for managing allergies and related conditions, including food allergies, anaphylaxis, and urticaria. Their guidelines are developed through collaboration with international experts and organizations, ensuring evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, classification, and treatment.
For example, the 2022 we guidelined on food allergy emphasize a systematic approach to managing allergic reactions, focusing on allergen immunotherapy and biological therapies. These therapies aim to desensitize individuals to allergens, improving tolerance and reducing severe reactions. The guidelines also highlight the importance of educational interventions and risk management strategies to help patients manage their condition safely. They incorporate recommendations based on systematic reviews of clinical trials and observational studies to ensure high confidence in the treatment approaches they endorse GAF Forum EAACI Knowledge Hub.
In the area of urticaria management, the guidelines stress precise classification of the condition, whether acute or chronic, and recommend treatments such as antihistamines or immune modulators depending on the severity. The collaboration between Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network e.V. and other organizations, like EuroGuiDerm, ensures a broad, multidisciplinary consensus that considers both clinical outcomes and patient quality of life.
These guidelines provide clinicians with structured pathways to manage allergic diseases effectively while focusing on patient safety and treatment efficacy.

Select ACARE Guidelines

Select UCARE Guidelines

Podcast

All Things Angioedema podcast episodes are approximately 15 minutes long and will be hosted by Dr. Thomas Buttgereit (Germany), one of the stars of the ACARE network. In each episode, he will talk to physicians, patient organizations and people of interest in the angioedema community from around the world to teach listeners all the ins-and-outs of angioedema.

Select Angioedema Podcast

With more than 80 episodes already published and 10.000 listeners in the initial 18-month period – one of the most successful formats in the UCARE LevelUp program – the All things Urticaria is an invaluable ressource for all physicians and patients interested to learn more about this disease.
You can listen to the podcast at Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Select UCARE Podcast

Webinars

ACARE LevelUp Webinars Consist of 6 webinars that have a 50-minute lecture with 10-min question and answer sessions. They will be hosted by some of the most esteemed physicians in the angioedema field. Cvering Topics such as:

– Guideline recommendations and updates
– Recent insights from publications
– Advances in our understanding of angioedema and the comorbidities that go along with it
– Biomarkers in angioedema and the biology of mast cells and the contact system including C1 inhibitor
– Kallikrein
– Bradykinin and its receptors
– And many more.

Select ACARE Webinars

UCARE LevelUp Webinars held approximately every 8 weeks, 1-hour programs with 45 minutes of presentations by one or more UCARE physician with 15 minutes for questions and answers. Covering topics such as:

– Guideline, recommendations and updates,
– Recent insights from publications,
– Results from UCARE projects,
– A year in review webinar towards the end of 2021 and 2022,
– Advances in the diagnostics of urticaria,
– The history of urticaria,
– Advances in our understanding of chronic urticaria (CU) comorbidities,
– The UCARE and ACARE network interaction,
– The CU patient burden and how to assess it, biomarkers in CU and mast cell biology.

Select UCARE Webinar

Scientific Projects

If your center is a member of the ACARE network, you can initiate a ACARE scientific study. ACAREs who want to apply to run a project should check on our website for ongoing, past, and approved projects in preparation. If you believe your project to be unique enough, please download the application form and send it via email to the ACARE OFFICE at info(at)acare-network.com.
Please include as much detail as possible, especially regarding scope, desired number of participants, milestones, project duration etc. Please note that the project duration should be at least 1.5 to 2 years, to give participating centers time for their ethics proposals.

If your center is a member of the UCARE network, you can initiate a UCARE scientific study. UCAREs who want to apply to run a project should check on our website for ongoing, past, and approved projects in preparation. If you believe your project to be unique enough please download the application form and send it via email to the UCARE OFFICE at info(at)ucare-network.com.
Please include as much detail as possible, especially regarding scope, desired number of participants, milestones, project duration etc. Please note that the project duration should be at least 1.5 to 2 years, to give participating centers time for their ethics proposals.

Publications

Publish over 500 scientific works contributed by its members, focusing on advancements and research in allergy and asthma. These publications cover a wide range of topics, including the effectiveness of various treatments, epidemiological studies, and innovative approaches to allergy prevention and management. The network’s contributions significantly enhance the understanding of allergy and asthma, supporting its mission to reduce the burden of these conditions.

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