Airway Inflammation and Disease Burden in Asthmatic Smokers

Aim : To compare, among patients with an uncontrolled moderate to severe asthma, the blood eosinophil levels of smokers and non-smokers. Secondary aims: In uncontrolled moderate to severe asthmatic subjects, to compare between asthmatic smokers and non-smokers: sputum eosinophils counts, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), pre and post bronchodilator Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) / Forced vital capacity (FVC), Asthma-related quality of life, asthma exacerbations during the year preceding enrolment in the study, Medical direct and indirect costs related to asthma during the year preceding enrolment in the study, and adherence to asthma treatment during the year preceding enrolment in the study. Methods: Cross sectional observational study. Never-smoker and smoker asthmatics treated with at least 2 controller medications with a smoking history ≥10 pack/year with a ACQ score ≥ 1.5 points will be identified in the database RESP. Their clinical data will be matched to the Régie de l'assurance médicale du Quebec (RAMQ) and Maintenance et exploitation des données pour l'étude de la clientèle hospitalière (MED-ECHO) administrative databases and reMed (data on medications for patients with private health insurance) in order to access to data on medical services, hospitalisations and medications delivered by pharmacies. T