Every three to five years, experienced EB experts meet in a "DEBRA EB Classification Consensus Meeting" to question the medical classification of Epidermolysis Bullosa.

In 2019, this meeting took place in early April in London, organized by DEBRA Austria and DEBRA UK. These regular meetings are important in order to be able to make adjustments to clinical care as well as a clear prioritization of research efforts.

In principle, four main forms of the disease are distinguished. However, currently about 20 different genes and hundreds of mutations are known and make accurate classification and diagnosis of "butterfly children" considerably more difficult. But the most accurate diagnosis is important. Only when patients have been properly diagnosed can they receive exactly the medical care they need.

The meeting in London was attended by 25 international EB experts who discussed the classification of EB taking into account the currently available genetic, molecular and clinical data.

Good classifications are very helpful especially for the clinical area. The focus in 2019 was therefore on the applicability in the practice of treating physicians. Knowing the exact mutations of each patient is essential. Only then can the currently researched gene, cell and drug-based therapeutic approaches be used individually and successfully.

The results and recommendations of this year's EB Classification Consensus Meeting will be published in the near future. As with previous meetings, which were also funded by DEBRA, the outcome of the meeting will be published in well-known and peer-reviewed dermatological journals.