The Montpellier WHO Collaborating Centre for Classification
Scientific Support
In June 2018, the WHO Collaborating Center (WHO CC) for the
Scientific Classification Support (CSS) was established at the
University Hospital of Montpellier, headed by LKT and PD (42). This
designation is the result of recognition by WHO of all the efforts ofthe ALLERGY in ICD-11 initiative and is intended to provide
academic, research and scientific support to WHO in the implementation,
refinement and maintenance of the WHO-FIC in the areas of our expertise.
Furthermore, LKT has been co-opted by WHO into the small Medical
and Scientific Advisory Board recently created to support the
maintenance of ICD-11 and other WHO FIC classifications (43).
The WHO-FIC (Family of International Classifications) Network CC also
assists WHO in the revision and development of ICD and other WHO
reference classifications (38). The Montpellier WHO CC for A/H is
involved in national and international initiatives in order to ensure
quality implementation of ICD-11 and other WHO international
classifications, taking A/H as a model. These include education modules
to support quality of classification and coding under the new framework
and collaboration work with other institutions. In this context, we here
present the outcomes of a engagement process involving the allergy
community in which the principal terms and definitions of the
pioneer Allergic and hypersensitivity conditions section of the
ICD-11 could be scrutinised. This step is critical for the
implementation process by strengthening awareness and preparing the
allergy community for ICD-11.
ONE VOICE FOR THE ALLERGY COMMUNITY IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ICD-11
To reach out the allergy community worldwide, we developed a web-based
survey in English, which was launched via Internet and circulated for 7
weeks (August to October 2019). The survey was anonymous and voluntary.
An online questionnaire was constructed using
GoogleDocsR, enabling responses to be recorded in a
unique database. We sent out an introduction letter containing a link to
the questionnaire unique to each participating member. We received help
from a number of relevant international and national academies in
distributing the survey among their members. The link directed
respondents to a page explaining the purpose of the survey. A reminder
was sent out after 4 weeks. The survey has been disseminated by e-mail
and by social media.
Of the 35 questions, 6 related to the utility of ICD and 15 to the
content of the Allergic and hypersensitivity conditions section,
specifically the nomenclature and definitions of the main conditions in
each of the 6 principal domains: i) allergic or hypersensitivity
disorders involving the respiratory tract; ii) allergic or
hypersensitivity disorders involving the eye; iii) allergic or
hypersensitivity disorders involving the skin and mucous membranes; iv)
allergic or hypersensitivity disorders involving the digestive tract; v)
anaphylaxis; and vi) complex allergy disorders (drug, food and
Hymenoptera hypersensitivity) (Annex 1).
The following numeric scoring system was used: 0 (not at all accurate),
1 (low accuracy, but possible to use), 2 (acceptable accuracy), 3 (good
accuracy) and 4 (extremely accurate). We originally planned to analyse
the responses for each of the 6 domains but realised on receipt of the
responses that it would be necessary to amalgamate some domains in order
to facilitate the communication of the results.