title: Diagnosis and treatment of urticaria and angioedema:  a worldwide perspective.
abstract: : Urticaria and angioedema are common clinical conditions representing a major concern for physicians and patients alike. The World Allergy Organization (WAO), recognizing the importance of these diseases, has contributed to previous guidelines for the diagnosis and management of urticaria. The Scientific and Clinical Issues Council of WAO proposed the development of this global Position Paper to further enhance the clinical management of these disorders through the participation of renowned experts from all WAO regions of the world. Sections on definition and classification, prevalence, etiology and pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis are based on the best scientific evidence presently available. Additional sections devoted to urticaria and angioedema in children and pregnant women, quality of life and patient-reported outcomes, and physical urticarias have been incorporated into this document. It is expected that this article will supplement recent international guidelines with the contribution of an expert panel designated by the WAO, increasing awareness of the importance of urticaria and angioedema in medical practice and will become a useful source of information for optimum patient management worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Centro Médico-Docente La Trinidad, Caracas, Venezuela
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Borges
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Asero
authors.forename: Ignacio J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Ansotegui
authors.forename: Ilaria
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Baiardini
authors.forename: Jonathan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.forename: G Walter
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Canonica
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gower
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: Allen P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: Connie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Katelaris
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maurer
authors.forename: Hae Sim
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Potter
authors.forename: Sarbjit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saini
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tassinari
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tedeschi
authors.forename: Young Min
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zuberbier