Resources for
Understanding GRADE

In 2017 the Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters (JTFPP) began to transition to using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system for grading evidence as we developed our clinical guidelines. In contrast to the more traditional Practice Parameters, the GRADE guidelines are more focused, seeking to answer 2-4 clinical management or diagnostic questions. We have, thus far, developed 3 GRADE documents, Allergic Rhinitis (2017), Anaphylaxis (2019), and Peanut Allergy Diagnostic (2020). While the JTFPP acknowledges the many advantages of GRADE, due to the limited scope of each GRADE guideline, there are many clinical questions and updates pertaining to the various disease entities in allergy and clinical immunology that cannot be addressed. Therefore, the JTFPP will continue to develop, in a selective manner, the more traditional Practice Parameters, in addition to the newer GRADE guidelines.