Guideline
ARIA guideline 2019: treatment of allergic rhinitis in the German health system
L. Klimek, C. Bachert, O. Pfaar, S. Becker, T. Bieber, R. Brehler, R. Buhl, I. Casper, A. Chaker, W. Czech, J. Fischer, T. Fuchs, M. Gerstlauer, K. Hörmann, T. Jakob, K. Jung, M.V. Kopp, V. Mahler, H. Merk, N. Mülleneisen, K. Nemat, U. Rabe, J. Ring, J. Saloga, W. Schlenter, C. Schmidt-Weber, H. Seyfarth, A. Sperl, T. Spindler, P. Staubach, S. Strieth, R. Treudler, C. Vogelberg, A. Wallrafen, W. Wehrmann, H. Wrede, T. Zuberbier, A. Bedbrook, G.W. Canonica, V. Cardona, T.B. Casale, W. Czarlewski, W.J. Fokkens, E. Hamelmann, P.W. Hellings, M. Jutel, D. Larenas-Linnemann, J. Mullol, N.G. Papadopoulos, S. Toppila- Salmi, T. Werfel and J. Bousquet
Volume 3 (2019) p. 22 - 50
Abstract
Allergologie select, Volume 3/2019 (22-50)
ARIA guideline 2019: treatment of allergic rhinitis in the German health system
Ludger Klimek1, Claus Bachert2, Oliver Pfaar3, Sven Becker4, Thomas Bieber5, Randolf Brehler6, Roland Buhl7, Ingrid Casper1, Adam Chaker8, Wolfgang Czech9, Jörg Fischer10, Thomas Fuchs11, Michael Gerstlauer12, Karl Hörmann13, Thilo Jakob14, Kirsten Jung15, Matthias V. Kopp16, Vera Mahler17, Hans Merk18, Norbert Mülleneisen19, Katja Nemat20, Uta Rabe21, Johannes Ring22, Joachim Saloga23, Wolfgang Schlenter24, Carsten Schmidt-Weber25, Holger Seyfarth26, Annette Sperl1, Thomas Spindler27, Petra Staubach23, Sebastian Strieth28, Regina Treudler29, Christian Vogelberg30, Andrea Wallrafen31, Wolfgang Wehrmann32, Holger Wrede33, Torsten Zuberbier34, Anna Bedbrook35, Giorgio W. Canonica36, Victoria Cardona37, Thomas B. Casale38, Wienczylawa Czarlewski39, Wytske J. Fokkens40, Eckard Hamelmann41, Marek Jutel42, Désirée Larenas-Linnemann43, Joaquim Mullol44, Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos45, Sanna Toppila-Salmi46, Thomas Werfel47, and Jean Bousquet34#35#48#49
1Center of Rhinology and Allergology, Wiesbaden, Germany, 2Upper Airways Research Laboratory and Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Ghent University and Ghent, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium, Division of ENT Diseases, CLINTEC, Karolinska Institute, University of Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden, 3Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck, Surgery, Section of Rhinology and Allergy, University, Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg,Marburg, Germany, 4Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany, 5Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany, Christine Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK-CARE) Davos-Augsburg-Bonn-St Gallen-Zürich, St. Gallen, Switzerland, 6Department of Allergy, Occupational Dermatology and Environmental Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany, 7Pulmonary Department,Mainz University Hospital,Mainz, Germany, 8Department of Otolaryngology and Center for Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany, 9Department of Dermatology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany, 10Department of Dermatology, Eberhard Karls University, Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany, 11Department of Dermatology, Venereology, and Allergology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany, 12Pediatric Pneumology and Allergology Unit, Medical University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany, 13Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mannheim University Hospital, Mannheim, Germany, 14Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Gießen and Marburg, Campus Gießen, Justus-Liebig-University, Gießen, Germany, 15Group Practice for Dermatology, Erfurt, Germany, 16Clinic of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Member of the German Lung Center (DZL), Lübeck University, Lübeck, Germany, 17Medical Faculty, Friedrich- Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany, 18Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany, 19Asthma and Allergy Centre, Leverkusen, Germany, 20Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany, 21Department of Allergology, Johanniter-Krankenhaus im Fläming Treuenbrietzen GmbH, Treuenbrietzen, Germany, 22Department and Outpatient Clinic for Dermatology and Allergology am Biederstein, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany and Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK-Care), Davos, Switzerland, 23Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center Mainz,Mainz, Germany, 24Former Head ENT - Department, Katharina- Kasper-Kliniken, Marienkrankenhaus, c/o University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany, 25Center for Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) and the Inflammation and Immunology Helmholtz Initiative, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany, 26Pharmacy Association in Hesse, Offenbach, Germany, 27Allergy Campus Davos, Hochgebirgsklinik Davos dpt. Pediatrics, Davos, Switzerland, 28Department of Otolaryngology, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Germany, 29Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, LICA – Leipzig Comprehensive Allergy Center, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany, 30Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany, 31German Allergy and Asthma Association, Mönchengladbach, Germany, 32Dermatology Group Practice,Münster, Germany, 33Herford, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, 34Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Allergie-Centrum – Charité, Charité – Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 35MACVIA-France, Montpellier, France, 36Allergy Section, Allergy and Respiratory Diseases, DIMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy, 37Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Barcelona, Spain, 38Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA, 39Medical Consulting Czarlewski, Levallois, France, 40Department Otorhinolaryngologie, Academic Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 41Children’s Center, Protestant Hospital Bethel, University Bielefeld, Bielefeld Germany, 42Department of Clinical Immunology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland and ALL-MED Medical Research Institute, Wroclaw, Poland, 43HospitalMédica Sur, México City, Mexico, 44Unitat de Rinologia i Clínica de l’Olfacte, Servei d’ORL, Hospital Clínic, Clinical and Experimental Respiratory Immunoallergy, IDIBAPS, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain, 45Department of Allergy, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 46Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland, 47Division of Immunodermatology and Allergy Research, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany, 48University Hospital, Montpellier, 49 INSERM, Unit 1168, Paris, France
Background: The number of patients affected by allergies is increasing worldwide. The resulting allergic diseases are leading to significant costs for health care and social systems. Integrated care pathways are needed to enable comprehensive care within the national health systems. The ARIA (Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma) initiative develops internationally applicable guidelines for allergic respiratory diseases.
Methods: ARIA serves to improve the care of patients with allergies and chronic respiratory diseases. In collaboration with other international initiatives, national associations and patient organizations in the field of allergies and respiratory diseases, real-life integrated care pathways have been developed for a digitally assisted, integrative, individualized treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) with comorbid asthma. In the present work, these integrated care pathways have been adapted to the German situation and health system.
Results: The present ICP (integrated care pathway) guideline covers key areas of the care of AR patients with and without asthma. It includes the views of patients and other healthcare providers.
Discussion: A comprehensive ICP guideline can reflect real-life care better than traditional guideline models.Correspondence to:
Prof. Dr. Jean Bousquet
Centre Hospitalier
Régional Universitaire´de Montpellier (CHU)
371 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud
34295 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
Email: [email protected]
Position Paper
Allergen immunotherapy in the current COVID-19 pandemic: A position paper of AeDA, ARIA, EAACI, DGAKI and GPA
Ludger Klimek, Oliver Pfaar, Margitta Worm, Karl-Christian Bergmann, Thomas Bieber, Roland Buhl, Jeroen Buters, Ulf Darsow, Thomas Keil, Jörg Kleine-Tebbe, Susanne Lau, Marcus Maurer, Hans Merk, Ralph Mösges, Joachim Saloga, Petra Staubach, Petra Stute, Klaus Rabe, Uta Rabe, Claus Vogelmeier, Tilo Biedermann, Kirsten Jung, Wolfgang Schlenter, Johannes Ring, Adam Chaker, Wolfgang Wehrmann, Sven Becker, Norbert Mülleneisen, Katja Nemat, Wofgang Czech, Holger Wrede, Randolf Brehler, Thomas Fuchs, Peter-Valentin Tomazic, Werner Aberer, Antje Fink-Wagner, Friedrich Horak, Stefan Wöhrl, Verena Niederberger-Leppin, Isabella Pali-Schöll, Wolfgang Pohl, Regina Roller-Wirnsberger, Otto Spranger, Rudolf Valenta, Mübecell Akdis, Cezmi Akdis, Karin Hoffmann-Sommergruber, Marek Jutel, Paolo Matricardi, FranÇois Spertini, Nikolai Khaltaev, Jean-Pierre Michel, Laurent Nicod, Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier, Eckard Hamelmann, Thilo Jakob, Thomas Werfel, Martin Wagenmann, Christian Taube, Michael Gerstlauer, Christian Vogelberg, Jean Bousquet, and Torsten Zuberbier
Volume 4 (2020) p. 44 - 52
Abstract
Allergologie select, Volume 4/2020 (44-52)
Allergen immunotherapy in the current COVID-19 pandemic: A position paper of AeDA, ARIA, EAACI, DGAKI and GPA
Ludger Klimek1, Oliver Pfaar2, Margitta Worm3, Karl-Christian Bergmann3, Thomas Bieber4, Roland Buhl5, Jeroen Buters6, Ulf Darsow7, Thomas Keil8, Jörg Kleine-Tebbe9, Susanne Lau10, Marcus Maurer69, Hans Merk11, Ralph Mösges12,13,14, Joachim Saloga15, Petra Staubach15, Petra Stute16, Klaus Rabe17, Uta Rabe18, Claus Vogelmeier19, Tilo Biedermann7,20, Kirsten Jung21, Wolfgang Schlenter22, Johannes Ring23,24, Adam Chaker25,26, Wolfgang Wehrmann27, Sven Becker28, Norbert Mülleneisen29, Katja Nemat30,31, Wofgang Czech32, Holger Wrede33, Randolf Brehler34, Thomas Fuchs35, Peter-Valentin Tomazic36, Werner Aberer37, Antje Fink-Wagner38, Friedrich Horak39, Stefan Wöhrl40, Verena Niederberger-Leppin41, Isabella Pali-Schöll42,43, Wolfgang Pohl44, Regina Roller-Wirnsberger45, Otto Spranger38, Rudolf Valenta46, Mübecell Akdis47, Cezmi Akdis47, Karin Hoffmann-Sommergruber43, Marek Jutel48, Paolo Matricardi49, FranÇois Spertini50, Nikolai Khaltaev51, Jean-Pierre Michel52, Laurent Nicod53,54, Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier55, Eckard Hamelmann56, Thilo Jakob57, Thomas Werfel58, Martin Wagenmann59, Christian Taube60, Michael Gerstlauer67, Christian Vogelberg68, Jean Bousquet61,62,63,64,65,66, and Torsten Zuberbier3
1Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie, Wiesbaden, 2Sektion Rhinologie und Allergologie, Klinik für Hals-, Nasen-und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 3Comprehensive Allergy Centre Charité, Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 4Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, 5III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik Hämatologie, Internistische Onkologie und Pneumologie, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, 6Zentrum Allergie und Umwelt (ZAUM) Technische Universität und Helmholtz Zentrum München, 7Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie der Technischen Universität München, 8Institut für klinische Epidemiologie und Biometrie, Julius-Maximilian-Universität, Würzburg, 9Allergie- und Asthma-Zentrum Westend, Berlin, 10Klinik für Pädiatrie m.S. Pneumologie, Immunologie und Intensivmedizin, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 11Abteilung Dermatologie & Allergologie, RWTH Aachen Universität, 12Medizinische Fakultät der Universität zu Köln, 13CRI – Clinical Research International Ltd., Hamburg, 14ClinCompetence Cologne GmbH, Köln, 15Hautklinik, Universitätsmedizin, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, 16Europäische Vereinigung für Vitalität und Aktives Altern, Leipzig, 17Abteilung für Pneumologie, LungenClinic Grosshansdorf, 18Klinik für Allergologie, Johanniter-Krankenhaus im Fläming Treuenbrietzen GmbH, Treuenbrietzen, 19Klinik für Innere Medizin Schwerpunkt Pneumologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, 20Einheit für Klinische Allergologie (EKA), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH), Neuherberg, 21Praxis für Dermatologie, Immunologie und Allergologie, Erfurt, 22Ärzteverband Deutscher Allergologen, Dreieich, 23Haut- und Laserzentrum an der Oper, München, 24Academia: München, 25HNO-Klinik des Klinikums rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 26Zentrum Allergie und Umwelt München (ZAUM); Helmholtz Zentrum München, 27Praxis für Dermatologie und Allergologie, Münster, 28Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universität Tübingen, 29Asthma und Allergiezentrum Leverkusen, 30Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, 31Praxis für Kinderpenumologie/Allergologie am Kinderzentrum Dresden (Kid), Dresden, 32Klinik für Dermatologie, Universität Freiburg, 33Hals-, Nasenund Ohrenarzt, Nordrhein-Westfalen, 34Klinik für Allergologie, Berufsdermatologie und Umweltmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Münster, 35Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, 36Klinische Abteilung für Allgemeine HNO, Medizinische Universität Graz, Österreich, 37Universitätsklinik für Dermatologie und Venerologie, Medizinische Universität Graz, Österreich, 38Global Allergy and Airways Patient Platform GAAPP, Wien, Österreich, 39Praxis für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkrankheiten, Wien, Österreich, 40Floridsdorfer Allergiezentrum, Wien, Österreich, 41Universitätsklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenkrankheiten, Medizinische Universität Wien, Österreich, 42Institut für Komparative Medizin, Interdisziplinäres Messerli Forschungsinstitut, Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien und Medizinische Universität Wien, Österreich, 43Institut für Pathophysiologie und Allergieforschung, Medizinische Universität Wien, Österreich, 44Abteilung für Atmungs- und Lungenkrankheiten, Krankenhaus Hietzing, Wien, Österreich, 45Universitätsklinik für Innere Medizin, Medizinische Universität Graz, Österreich, 46Institut für Pathophysiologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Österreich, 47Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos, Schweiz, 48Department of Clinical Immunology, Medizinische Universität Breslau, Polen, 49Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 50Division of Allergy and Immunology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Schweiz, 51GARD Chairman, Genf, Schweiz, 52Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, University of Geneva, Genf, Schweiz, 53Clinique Cecil, Hirslanden Gruppe, Lausanne, Schweiz, 54Abteilung Pneumologie, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois, Lausanne, Schweiz, 55Allergiestation, Dermatologische Klinik, Universitätsspital Zürich, Schweiz, 56Kinderzentrum Bethel, Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Universitätsmedizin OWL der Universität Bielefeld, 57Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Gießen, UKGM, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, 58Klinik fürDermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 59HNO-Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, 60Klinik für Pneumologie, Ruhrlandklinik, Universitätsmedizin Essen, 61MACVIA-France, Fondation partenariale FMC VIA-LR, Montpellier, Frankreich, 62INSERM U 1168, VIMA: Ageing and Chronic Diseases Epidemiological and Public Health Approaches, Villejuif, 63Université Versailles St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, UMR-S 1168, Montigny le Bretonneux, Frankreich, 64Euforea, Brussels, Belgien, 65Charité, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 66Berlin Institute of Health, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Berlin, 67Abteilung für Kinderpneumologie und Allergologie, Medizinische Universität Augsburg, 68Klinik für Kinderpneumologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, 69Dermatologische Allergologie, Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Correspondence to:
Prof. Dr. Ludger Klimek, Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie, An den Quellen 10, 65183 Wiesbaden
Email: [email protected]
Guideline
S3 Guideline Allergy Prevention
Matthias V. Kopp, Cathleen Muche-Borowski, Michael Abou-Dakn, Birgit Ahrens, Kirsten Beyer, Katharina Blümchen, Petra Bubel, Adam Chaker, Monika Cremer, Regina Ensenauer, Michael Gerstlauer, Uwe Gieler, Inga-Marie Hübner, Fritz Horak, Ludger Klimek, Berthold V. Koletzko, Sybille Koletzko, Susanne Lau, Thomas Lob-Corzilius, Katja Nemat, Eva M.J. Peters, Antonio Pizzulli†, Imke Reese, Claudia Rolinck-Werninghaus, Elien Rouw, Bianca Schaub, Sebastian Schmidt, Jens-Oliver Steiß, Anne Kathrin Striegel, Zsolt Szépfalusi, Dietmar Schlembach, Thomas Spindler, Christian Taube, Valérie Trendelenburg, Regina Treudler, Ulrich Umpfenbach, Christian Vogelberg, Martin Wagenmann, Anke Weißenborn, Thomas Werfel, Margitta Worm, Helmut Sitter, and Eckard Hamelmann
Volume 6 (2022) p. 61 - 97
Abstract
Allergologie select, Vol. 6/2022 (61-97)
S3 Guideline Allergy Prevention
Matthias V. Kopp1, Cathleen Muche-Borowski2, Michael Abou-Dakn3, Birgit Ahrens4, Kirsten Beyer5, Katharina Blümchen4, Petra Bubel6, Adam Chaker7, Monika Cremer8, Regina Ensenauer9, Michael Gerstlauer10, Uwe Gieler11, Inga-Marie Hübner12, Fritz Horak13, Ludger Klimek14, Berthold V. Koletzko15, Sybille Koletzko16, Susanne Lau5, Thomas Lob-Corzilius17, Katja Nemat18, Eva M.J. Peters11, Antonio Pizzulli†19, Imke Reese20, Claudia Rolinck-Werninghaus21, Elien Rouw22, Bianca Schaub23, Sebastian Schmidt24, Jens-Oliver Steiß25, Anne Kathrin Striegel26, Zsolt Szépfalusi27, Dietmar Schlembach28, Thomas Spindler29, Christian Taube30, Valérie Trendelenburg5, Regina Treudler31, Ulrich Umpfenbach32, Christian Vogelberg33, Martin Wagenmann34, Anke Weißenborn35, Thomas Werfel36, Margitta Worm37, Helmut Sitter38, and Eckard Hamelmann39
1Airway Research Center North, University of Lübeck, Member of Deutsches Zentrum für Lungenforschung, Universitätsklinik für Kinderheilkunde, Inselspital, Bern, Schweiz, 2Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Deutschland, 3Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, St. Joseph-Krankenhaus Berlin-Tempelhof, Deutschland, 4Children’s Hospital, University Hospital Frankfurt, Deutschland, 5Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Deutschland, 6HNO-Facharztpraxis, Eisleben, Deutschland, 7HNO-Klinik, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Deutschland, 8Ökotrophologin, Journalistin, Idstein/Taunus, Deutschland, 9Institut für Kinderernährung, Max Rubner-Institut, Karlsruhe, Deutschland, 10Kinderklinik, Universitätsklinikum Augsburg, Deutschland, 11Klinik für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie des UKGM, Universitätsklinik, Giessen, Deutschland, 12Arbeitsgemeinschaft Dermatologiche Prävention e.V., Hamburg, Deutschland, 13Allergiezentrum Wien West, Wien, Österreich, 14Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie, Wiesbaden, Deutschland, 15Integriertes Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum, Dr. von Haunerschen Kinderspital, LMU Klinikum der Universität München, München, Deutschland, 16Abteilung für Stoffwechsel und Ernährung, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, LMU Klinikum der Universität München, München, Deutschland, 17Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Christliches Kinderhospital Osnabrück, Deutschland, 18Kinderzentrum Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Deutschland, 19Schwerpunktpraxis für Allergologie und Lungenheilkunde im Kinder- und Jugendalter, Berlin, Deutschland, 20Ernährungsberatung und -therapie mit Schwerpunkt Allergologie, München, Deutschland, 21Praxis für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Teltow, Deutschland, 22Kinderarztpraxis, Bühl, Deutschland, 23Asthma- und Allergieambulanz, Dr. von Haunersches Kinderspital, LMU Klinikum der Universität, München, Deutschland, 24Allgemeine Pädiatrie, Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Deutschland, 25Facharztpraxis für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Fulda, Deutschland, 26Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum, Köln, Deutschland, 27Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendheilkunde, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Österreich, 28Klinik für Geburtsmedizin, Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln, Berlin, 29Hochgebirgsklinik Davos, Schweiz, 30Klinik für Pneumologie, Ruhrlandklinik, Westdeutsches Lungenzentrum am Universitätsklinikum, Essen, Deutschland, 31Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Leipziger Allergie-Centrum LICA – CAC, Universitätsmedizin, Leipzig, Deutschland, 32Praxis für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Dülken, Deutschland, 33Klinik und Poliklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität, Dresden, Deutschland, 34HNO-Klinik, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Deutschland, 35German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Deutschland, 36Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hannover, Deutschland, 37Klinik für Dermatologie, Allergologie und Venerologie, Campus Charité Mitte, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland, 38Institut für Chirurgische Forschung, Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Deutschland, and 39Kinder-Zentrum Bethel, Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Universitätsklinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsklinikum OWL, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Deutschland
Background: The persistently high prevalence of allergic diseases in Western industrial nations and the limited possibilities of causal therapy make evidence-based recommendations for primary prevention necessary. Methods: The recommendations of the S3 Guideline Allergy Prevention, published in its last version in 2014, were revised and consented on the basis of a current systematic literature search. The evidence search was conducted for the period 06/2013 – 11/2020 in the electronic databases Cochrane and MEDLINE, as well as in the reference lists of current reviews and through references from experts. The literature found was screened in two filtering processes, first by title and abstract, and the remaining papers were screened in the full text for relevance. The studies included were sorted by level of evidence, and the study quality was indicated in terms of potential bias (low/high). The revised recommendations were formally agreed and consented upon with the participation of representatives of the relevant professional societies and (self-help) organizations (nominal group process). Of 5,681 hits, 286 studies were included and assessed. Results: Recommendations on maternal nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding as well as on infant nutrition in the first months of life again play an important role in the updated guideline: Many of the previous recommendations were confirmed by the current data. It was specified that breastfeeding should be exclusive for the first 4 – 6 months after birth, if possible, and that breastfeeding should continue with the introduction of complementary foods. A new recommendation is that supplementary feeding of cow’s milk-based infant formula should be avoided in the first days of life if the mother wishes to breastfeed. Furthermore, it was found that the evidence for a clear recommendation for hydrolyzed infant formula in nonbreastfed infants at risk of atopic diseases is currently insufficient. It is therefore recommended to check whether an infant formula with proven efficacy, demonstrated in allergy prevention studies, is available until the introduction of complementary feeding. Finally, based on the EAACI guideline, recommendations were made for the prevention of hen’s egg allergy by introducing and regularly giving thoroughly heated (e.g., baked or hard-boiled) but not “raw” hen’s egg (also no scrambled egg) with the complementary food. The recommendation to introduce peanut in complementary feeding was formulated cautiously for the German-speaking countries: In families with regular peanut consumption, the regular administration of peanut-containing foods in ageappropriate form (e.g., peanut butter) with the complementary diet can be considered for the primary prevention of peanut allergy in infants with atopic dermatitis (AD). Before introduction, a clinically relevant peanut allergy must be ruled out, especially in infants with moderate to severe AD. There is still insufficient evidence for an allergy-preventive efficacy of prebiotics or probiotics, vitamin D, or other vitamins in the form of supplements so that recommendations against their supplementation were adopted for the first time in the current guideline. Biodiversity plays an important role in the development of immunological tolerance to environmental and food allergens: there is clear evidence that growing up on a farm is associated with a lower risk of developing asthma and allergic diseases. This is associated with early non-specific immune stimulation due to, among other things, the greater microbial biodiversity of house dust in this habitat. This aspect is also reflected in the recommendations on animal husbandry, on which a differentiated statement was made: In families without a recognizable increased allergy risk, pet keeping with cats or dogs should not generally be restricted. Families with an increased allergy risk or with children with already existing AD should not acquire a new cat – in contrast, however, dog ownership should not be discouraged. Interventions to reduce exposure to dust mite allergens in the home, such as the use of mite allergen-proof mattress covers (“encasings”), should be restricted to patients with already proven specific sensitization against house dust mite allergen. Children born by caesarean section have a slightly increased risk of asthma – this should be taken into account when advising on mode of delivery outside of emergency situations. Recent work also supports the recommendations on air pollutants: Active and passive exposure to tobacco smoke increase the risk of allergies, especially asthma, and should therefore be avoided. Exposure to nitrogen oxides, ozone, and small particles (PM 2.5) is associated with an increased risk, especially for asthma. Therefore, exposure to emissions of nitrogen oxides, ozone, and small particles (PM 2.5) should be kept low. The authors of this guideline are unanimously in favor of enacting appropriate regulations to minimize these air pollutants. There is no evidence that vaccinations increase the risk of allergies, but conversely there is evidence that vaccinations can reduce the risk of allergies. All children, including children at risk, should be vaccinated according to the current recommendations of the national public health institutes, also for allergy prevention. Conclusion: The consensus of recommendations in this guideline is based on an extensive evidence base. The update of the guideline enables evidence-based and up-to-date recommendations for the prevention of allergic diseases including asthma and atopic dermatitis.Correspondence to:
Prof. Dr. med. Matthias Kopp, Medizinbereich Kinder und Jugendliche, Insel Gruppe AG, Inselspital, Universität Bern, Freiburgstraße 15, 3010 Bern,
or
Prof. Dr. med. Eckard Hamelmann, Kinder-Zentrum Bethel, Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel, Universität Bielefeld, Burgsteig 13, 33617 Bielefeld
Email: [email protected]
Guideline
Guideline on allergen immunotherapy in IgE-mediated allergic diseases
Oliver Pfaar, Tobias Ankermann, Matthias Augustin, Petra Bubel, Sebastian Böing, Randolf Brehler, Peter A. Eng, Peter J. Fischer, Michael Gerstlauer, Eckard Hamelmann, Thilo Jakob, Jörg Kleine-Tebbe, Matthias Volkmar Kopp, Susanne Lau, Norbert Mülleneisen, Christoph Müller, Katja Nemat, Wolfgang Pfützner, Joachim Saloga, Klaus Strömer, Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier, Antje Schuster, Gunter Johannes Sturm, Christian Taube, Zsolt Szépfalusi, Christian Vogelberg, Martin Wagenmann, Wolfgang Wehrmann, Thomas Werfel, Stefan Wöhrl, Margitta Worm, and Bettina Wedi
Volume 6 (2022) p. 167 - 232
Abstract
Allergologie select, Vol. 6/2022 (167-232)
Guideline on allergen immunotherapy in IgE-mediated allergic diseases
Oliver Pfaar1, Tobias Ankermann2, Matthias Augustin3, Petra Bubel4, Sebastian Böing5, Randolf Brehler6, Peter A. Eng7, Peter J. Fischer8, Michael Gerstlauer9, Eckard Hamelmann10, Thilo Jakob11, Jörg Kleine-Tebbe12, Matthias Volkmar Kopp13, Susanne Lau14, Norbert Mülleneisen15, Christoph Müller16, Katja Nemat17,18, Wolfgang Pfützner19, Joachim Saloga20, Klaus Strömer21, Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier22, Antje Schuster23, Gunter Johannes Sturm24, Christian Taube25, Zsolt Szépfalusi26, Christian Vogelberg27, Martin Wagenmann28, Wolfgang Wehrmann29, Thomas Werfel30, Stefan Wöhrl31, Margitta Worm32, and Bettina Wedi30
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Rhinology and Allergy, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, 2Department of Pediatrics, Städtisches Krankenhaus Kiel, Kiel, 3Institute for Health Services Research in Dermatology and Nursing, University Medical Center Hamburg, Hamburg, 4ENT practice Dr. Bubel, Eisleben, 5Specialized Practice in Pneumology, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, Düsseldorf/Meerbusch, 6Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany, 7Section of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy Children’s Hospital, Aarau, Switzerland, 8Practice for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine m.S. Allergology and Pediatric Pneumology, Schwäbisch Gmünd, 9Paediatric Pulmonology and Allergology, University Medical Center Augsburg, Augsburg, 10Department of Paediatrics, Children‘s Center Bethel, University Bielefeld, Bielefeld, 11Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center, Justus Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, 12Allergy & Asthma Center Westend, Outpatient Clinic & Research Center, Berlin, Germany, 13Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, 14Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Berlin, 15Asthma-Allergiezentrum Leverkusen, 16Medical Center – University of Freiburg, Center for Pediatrics, Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Freiburg, 17Pediatric Pneumology and Allergology (medical practice), Children’s Center Dresden-Friedrichstadt (Kid), Dresden, 18University AllergyCenter Dresden, University Hospital Dresden (UKD), Dresden, 19Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Clinic, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, 20Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, 21Private Office Dermatology, Ahaus, Germany, 22Allergy Unit, Dept. Of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, 23Department of Pediatrics, Düsseldorf University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany, 24Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Medical University of Graz, Allergy Outpatient Clinic Reumannplatz, Vienna, Austria, 25Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Essen – Ruhrlandklinik, Essen, Germany, 26Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergology and Endocrinology, Comprehensive Center Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, 27Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Technical, University Dresden, Dresden, 28Department of Otorhinolaryngology (HNO-Klinik), Düsseldorf University Hospital (UKD), Düsseldorf, 29MVZ Dermatology and Dermatological Surgery Münster, Münster, 30Department of Dermatology & Allergy, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany, 31Floridsdorf Allergy Center (FAZ), Vienna, Austria, 32Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Berlin
Correspondence to:
Prof. Dr. med. Oliver Pfaar, Klinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Gießen und Marburg GmbH, Standort Marburg, Baldingerstraße, 35043 Marburg
Email: [email protected]
Guideline
Diagnosis and treatment of Hymenoptera venom allergy
Franziska Ruëff, Andrea Bauer, Sven Becker, Randolf Brehler, Knut Brockow, Adam M. Chaker, Ulf Darsow, Jörg Fischer, Thomas Fuchs, Michael Gerstlauer, Sunhild Gernert, Eckard Hamelmann, Wolfram Hötzenecker, Ludger Klimek, Lars Lange, Hans Merk, Norbert K. Mülleneisen, Irena Neustädter, Wolfgang Pfützner, Wolfgang Sieber, Helmut Sitter, Christoph Skudlik, Regina Treudler, Bettina Wedi, Stefan Wöhrl, Margitta Worm and Thilo Jakob
Volume 7 (2023) p. 154 - 190
Abstract
Allergologie select, Vol. 7/2023 (154-190)
Diagnosis and treatment of Hymenoptera venom allergy
Franziska Ruëff1, Andrea Bauer2, Sven Becker3, Randolf Brehler4, Knut Brockow5, Adam M. Chaker6, Ulf Darsow5, Jörg Fischer7, Thomas Fuchs8, Michael Gerstlauer9, Sunhild Gernert10, Eckard Hamelmann11, Wolfram Hötzenecker12, Ludger Klimek13, Lars Lange10, Hans Merk14, Norbert K. Mülleneisen15, Irena Neustädter16, Wolfgang Pfützner17, Wolfgang Sieber18, Helmut Sitter19, Christoph Skudlik20, Regina Treudler21, Bettina Wedi22, Stefan Wöhrl23, Margitta Worm24 and Thilo Jakob25
1Department of Dermatology and Allergy, LMU University Hospital, Munich, 2Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, 3Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tuebingen, Tübingen, 4Department of Dermatology, Münster University Hospital, Münster, 5Department of Dermatology and Allergology Biederstein, Faculty of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, 6Department of Otorhinolaryngology Klinikum rechts der Isar, Faculty of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, 7University Hospital for Dermatology and Allergology, Clinic Oldenburg, Oldenburg, 8Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, 9Clinic for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, 10Pediatric Clinic, Marienhospital Bonn, GFO Kliniken, Bonn, 11Children’s Center Bethel, University Hospital OWL, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany, 12Department of Dermatology, Kepler University Hospital, Medical Faculty of University Linz, Linz, Austria, 13Center for Rhinology and Allergology, Wiesbaden, 14Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital of RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, 15Center for Asthma and Allergy, Leverkusen, 16Cnopfsche Paediatric Clinic, Nuremberg, 17Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, 18Hospital Wörth an der Donau, Wörth an der Donau, 19Institute for Theoretical Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, 20Institute for Interdisciplinary Dermatological Prevention and Rehabilitation (iDerm) at the University of Osnabrueck, Osnabrueck, and BG Clinic Hamburg, Hamburg, 21University Leipzig Medical Faculty, Leipzig, 22Comprehensive Allergy, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany, 23Floridsdorf Allergy Center (FAZ), Vienna, Austria, 24Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, Berlin, and 25Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Hospital Giessen, Justus Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
Hymenoptera venom (HV) is injected into the skin during a sting by Hymenoptera such as bees or wasps. Some components of HV are potential allergens and can cause large local and/or systemic allergic reactions (SAR) in sensitized individuals. During their lifetime, ~ 3% of the general population will develop SAR following a Hymenoptera sting. This guideline presents the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to SAR following Hymenoptera stings. Symptomatic therapy is usually required after a severe local reaction, but specific diagnosis or allergen immunotherapy (AIT) with HV (VIT) is not necessary. When taking a patient’s medical history after SAR, clinicians should discuss possible risk factors for more frequent stings and more severe anaphylactic reactions. The most important risk factors for more severe SAR are mast cell disease and, especially in children, uncontrolled asthma. Therefore, if the SAR extends beyond the skin (according to the Ring and Messmer classification: grade > I), the baseline serum tryptase concentration shall be measured and the skin shall be examined for possible mastocytosis. The medical history should also include questions specific to asthma symptoms. To demonstrate sensitization to HV, allergists shall determine concentrations of specific IgE antibodies (sIgE) to bee and/or vespid venoms, their constituents and other venoms as appropriate. If the results are negative less than 2 weeks after the sting, the tests shall be repeated (at least 4 – 6 weeks after the sting). If only sIgE to the total venom extracts have been determined, if there is double sensitization, or if the results are implausible, allergists shall determine sIgE to the different venom components. Skin testing may be omitted if in-vitro methods have provided a definitive diagnosis. If neither laboratory diagnosis nor skin testing has led to conclusive results, additional cellular testing can be performed. Therapy for HV allergy includes prophylaxis of reexposure, patient self treatment measures (including use of rescue medication) in the event of re-stings, and VIT. Following a grade I SAR and in the absence of other risk factors for repeated sting exposure or more severe anaphylaxis, it is not necessary to prescribe an adrenaline auto-injector (AAI) or to administer VIT. Under certain conditions, VIT can be administered even in the presence of previous grade I anaphylaxis, e.g., if there are additional risk factors or if quality of life would be reduced without VIT. Physicians should be aware of the contraindications to VIT, although they can be overridden in justified individual cases after weighing benefits and risks. The use of β-blockers and ACE inhibitors is not a contraindication to VIT. Patients should be informed about possible interactions. For VIT, the venom extract shall be used that, according to the patient’s history and the results of the allergy diagnostics, was the trigger of the disease. If, in the case of double sensitization and an unclear history regarding the trigger, it is not possible to determine the culprit venom even with additional diagnostic procedures, VIT shall be performed with both venom extracts. The standard maintenance dose of VIT is 100 µg HV. In adult patients with bee venom allergy and an increased risk of sting exposure or particularly severe anaphylaxis, a maintenance dose of 200 µg can be considered from the start of VIT. Administration of a non-sedating H1-blocking antihistamine can be considered to reduce side effects. The maintenance dose should be given at 4-weekly intervals during the first year and, following the manufacturer’s instructions, every 5 – 6 weeks from the second year, depending on the preparation used; if a depot preparation is used, the interval can be extended to 8 weeks from the third year onwards. If significant recurrent systemic reactions occur during VIT, clinicians shall identify and as possible eliminate co-factors that promote these reactions. If this is not possible or if there are no such co-factors, if prophylactic administration of an H1-blocking antihistamine is not effective, and if a higher dose of VIT has not led to tolerability of VIT, physicians should should consider additional treatment with an anti IgE antibody such as omalizumab as off lable use. For practical reasons, only a small number of patients are able to undergo sting challenge tests to check the success of the therapy, which requires in-hospital monitoring and emergency standby. To perform such a provocation test, patients must have tolerated VIT at the planned maintenance dose. In the event of treatment failure while on treatment with an ACE inhibitor, physicians should consider discontinuing the ACE inhibitor. In the absence of tolerance induction, physicians shall increase the maintenance dose (200 µg to a maximum of 400 µg in adults, maximum of 200 µg HV in children). If increasing the maintenance dose does not provide adequate protection and there are risk factors for a severe anaphylactic reaction, physicians should consider a co-medication based on an anti-IgE antibody (omalizumab; off-label use) during the insect flight season. In patients without specific risk factors, VIT can be discontinued after 3 – 5 years if maintenance therapy has been tolerated without recurrent anaphylactic events. Prolonged or permanent VIT can be considered in patients with mastocytosis, a history of cardiovascular or respiratory arrest due to Hymenoptera sting (severity grade IV), or other specific constellations associated with an increased individual risk of recurrent and/or severe SAR (e.g., hereditary α-tryptasemia). In cases of strongly increased, unavoidable insect exposure, adults may receive VIT until the end of intense contact. The prescription of an AAI can be omitted in patients with a history of SAR grade I and II when the maintenance dose of VIT has been reached and tolerated, provided that there are no additional risk factors. The same holds true once the VIT has been terminated after the regular treatment period. Patients with a history of SAR grade ≥ III reaction, or grade II reaction combined with additional factors that increase the risk of non response or repeated severe sting reactions, should carry an emergency kit, including an AAI, during VIT and after regular termination of the VIT.Correspondence to:
Prof. Dr. med. Franziska Ruëff, Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie, und Allergologie, Klinikum der Universität München, Frauenlobstraße 9-11, 80337 Munich, Germany,
Email: [email protected]
Review
AIT in pediatric allergology: Opportunities and difficulties on the home stretch of the Therapy Allergen Ordinance
Christian Vogelberg and Michael Gerstlauer
Volume 7 (2023) p. 236 - 241
Abstract
Allergologie select, Vol. 7/2023 (236-241)
AIT in pediatric allergology: Opportunities and difficulties on the home stretch of the Therapy Allergen Ordinance
Christian Vogelberg1 and Michael Gerstlauer2
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, and 2Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only causal therapy for allergic diseases and therefore particularly important. Allergen preparations have been classified as medicinal products since 1989 (Directive 89/342/EEC) and were taken over into Directive 2001/83/EC in 2001. In addition, in 2008 the Therapy Allergen Ordinance (TAO) came into force to stricter regulate the exception for named patient products (NPP) by exclusion of common therapy allergens from the exception to be marketed as NPP. The TAO regulates the requirements for testing safety and efficacy for these common therapy allergens. Due to the long transitional provisions, the last deadlines for solving clinical shortcomings will end in 2026. The advantage of this regulation is that the market for common allergens has been cleared of products without proof of efficacy, and new preparations with an optimal dose range are developed through dose-finding studies. The demand for long-term pediatric studies has been outlined by the standard Pediatric Investigation Plan (PIP) on allergen products from the Pediatric Committee of the EMA (PDCO). This is particularly problematic, as it is foreseeable that recruitment of patients will be limited and ethical problems arise from the prolonged use of placebo. Furthermore, many newly approved preparations will not be used in pediatrics for the foreseeable future, as no marketing authorization has yet been granted for this age group. This will result in a serious supply gap for children.Correspondence to:
Prof. Dr. med. Christian Vogelberg, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Department of Pediatric Pneumology and Allergology, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
Email: [email protected]
Position Paper
Artificial intelligence in allergology: A Position Paper of the German Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI), Ärzteverband Deutscher Allergologen (AeDA) and German Society of Pediatric Allergology and Environmental Medicine (GPA): P1
Oliver Pfaar, Stephan Traidl, Friederike Bärhold, Sven Becker, Christoph Bergmann, Jeroen Buters, Stephanie Dramburg, Wojciech Francuzik, Michael Gerstlauer, Eckard Hamelmann, Camilo José Hernandez Toro, Ludger Klimek, Lars Lange, Paolo M. Matricardi, Laura Pfeffer, Mariel Suarez-Suarez, Philipp Utz, Martin Wagenmann, Margitta Worm, Mehrak Yoosefi, Sonja Mathes, and Sebastian Seurig
Volume 10 (2026) p. 303 - 322
Abstract
Allergologie select, Vol. 10/2026 (303-322)
Artificial intelligence in allergology: A Position Paper of the German Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (DGAKI), Ärzteverband Deutscher Allergologen (AeDA) and German Society of Pediatric Allergology and Environmental Medicine (GPA): P1
Oliver Pfaar1, Stephan Traidl2, Friederike Bärhold3, Sven Becker4, Christoph Bergmann5, Jeroen Buters6, Stephanie Dramburg7, Wojciech Francuzik8, Michael Gerstlauer9, Eckard Hamelmann10, Camilo José Hernandez Toro7,11, Ludger Klimek3, Lars Lange12, Paolo M. Matricardi7,13,14, Laura Pfeffer15, Mariel Suarez-Suarez6, Philipp Utz16, Martin Wagenmann17, Margitta Worm8, Mehrak Yoosefi18, Sonja Mathes19, and Sebastian Seurig20
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Rhinology and Allergy, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, 2Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Hanover, 3Center for Rhinology and Allergology, Wiesbaden, 4Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tübingen, 5Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, interdisziplinäre Facharztklinik, Düsseldorf, 6Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University and Helmholtz Center, Munich, 7Department of Pediatric Respiratory Care, Immunology and Intensive Care Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, 8Allergology and Immunology, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, 9Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, 10Children‘s Center Bethel, University Hospital OWL, University Bielefeld, Bielefeld, 11Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, 12Department of Pediatrics, GFO-Kliniken Bonn, St. Marien-Hospital, Bonn, 13Institute of Allergology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 14Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology ITMP, Allergology and Immunology, Berlin, 15Pediatric Dermatology and Allergology, Kinder- und Jugendkrankenhaus AUF DER BULT, Hannover, 16Kinderarztpraxis Hirschberg, Hirschberg, 17Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Düsseldorf University Hospital, Düsseldorf, 18Kinderarztpraxis Dr. med. Mehrak Yoosefi, Berlin, 19Department of Dermatology and Allergology, TUM Clinic Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, and 20Department of Respiratory Medicine, Allergology and Sleep Medicine, General Hospital Nuremberg, Campus North, Paracelsus Medical University, Nuremberg, Germany
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing in medicine, yet its translation into clinical and research practice in allergology remains limited. Given the heterogeneity of allergic diseases and the complexity of integrating clinical, environmental, and molecular data, a structured assessment is required. This first part of a joint position paper, developed by German allergology societies and associations under the leadership of the DGAKI, aims to establish a conceptual and clinical foundation for AI in allergology. Materials and methods: The Position Paper is based on a targeted narrative literature review and structured expert consensus. Development was informed by AGREE II principles. Part I comprises Chapters 1 – 4, covering introduction, methodology, AI taxonomy, and selected early application domains. Results: AI is conceptualized as an augmentative tool supporting clinical reasoning and individualized decision-making. The paper distinguishes classical statistical approaches from machine learning, deep learning, vision models, and large language models, emphasizing their complementary roles. Key applications include environmental analytics (e.g., automated pollen monitoring and forecasting), image-based classification systems, clinical decision support for diagnostics and therapy, and emerging patient-facing tools. Across these domains, AI may improve diagnostic precision and enable integration of heterogeneous data. Limitations include restricted generalizability, bias, limited explainability, and regulatory and data protection challenges. Conclusion: The role of AI in allergology is defined, its methodological basis is outlined, and initial application domains are highlighted. Together, these elements provide a framework for evidence-based and patient-oriented integration, requiring human oversight, robust scientific validation, and regulatory alignment.Correspondence to:
Prof. Dr. Oliver Pfaar, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Section of Rhinology and Allergy, University Hospital Marburg, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany, or Dr. med. Sonja Mathes, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, TUM Clinic Rechts der Isar, School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Email: [email protected]
