In this episode of the GA²LEN (Global Allergy and Asthma Excellence Network) Podcast on Everything Urticaria, Professor Torsten Zuberbier talks with Dr. Karsten Weller, a leading expert and developer of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), about how these tools are transforming the management of urticaria and angioedema in both research and daily care.
The discuss:
🔹 What are PROMs and why are they essential in urticaria management?
🔹 How are they developed and validated scientifically?
🔹 Which tools should clinicians use in everyday practice?
🔹 What does the future hold for digital and app-based patient assessment?
Dr. Weller explains how PROMs such as the Urticaria Control Test (UCT) help physicians understand disease control directly from the patient’s perspective. He discusses the scientific process of developing and validating PROMs, the benefits of integrating them into digital tools like the CRUSE App, and how simple, standardized communication enhances care. Together, they explore the future of patient-centered assessment, from wearable technologies to the evolving language of quality-of-life measures.
Key Learnings from the Episode:
PROMs capture the patient’s own perception of disease activity, control, and quality of life—crucial for fluctuating conditions like urticaria.
The Urticaria Control Test (UCT) is a quick, validated 4-question tool recommended for every patient visit.
PROM development follows a rigorous process including patient input, expert review, and validation studies.
Tools like the Chronic Urticaria QoL Questionnaire (CU-Q2oL) and Angioedema QoL Questionnaire (AE-QoL) add depth when time allows.
Digital apps such as the CRUSE App integrate PROMs into daily life and facilitate doctor–patient communication.
Despite new technologies, the patient’s direct voice remains irreplaceable in capturing holistic well-being.
The language of questionnaires must be periodically reviewed to stay clear and relevant across generations.
PROMs promote standardized, efficient, and patient-centered care, empowering better decisions and stronger engagement.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs)
03:23 The Development Process of PROMs
05:57 Practical Application of PROMs in Clinical Practice
08:40 The Future of Digital Tools in Patient Care
11:28 Language and Communication in Patient-Reported Outcomes
14:10 Final Thoughts and Conclusion