%0 Journal Article %A Marie-Eve Boulay %A Francine Deschesnes %A Claudia Pruneau-Pomerleau %A Louis-Philippe Boulet %T Discordance between asthma control parameters in patients with frequent vs infrequent asthma exacerbations %D 2014 %J European Respiratory Journal %P P3007 %V 44 %N Suppl 58 %X Background: Some asthmatics seem predisposed to frequent exacerbations. One reason of such frequent exacerbations may be more discrepancy between respiratory symptoms, expiratory flows and airway inflammation, making these patients more at risk of exacerbations, as their inflammatory and physiological changes do not translate well into warning symptoms. Aim: Assess the prevalence of discrepancies between asthma control parameters in patients with frequent asthma exacerbations (FAE) compared to patients with infrequent asthma exacerbations (IAE). Methods: FAE (≥2 exacerbations in the past year) and IAE (<2 exacerbations in the past year) were recruited. They completed the Asthma Control Scoring System (ACSS). The % score obtained for the clinical (C; symptoms), physiological (P; FEV1), and inflammatory (I; sputum eosinophil) criteria were compared. Discrepancy was defined as a >20% difference between any 2 scores. Results: Forty-six FAE (31F/15M, aged (mean±SD) 44±13y) and 54 IAE (31F/23M, aged 44±12y) were recruited. In the year preceding the study, 175 exacerbations (49 severe) were recorded in FAE compared to 32 (6 severe) in IAE. ACSS global score showed similar asthma control between FAE (77±14%) and IAE (81±12%). The prevalence of discrepancies was similar between FAE and IAE (C vs P: 39% vs 41%, respectively, C vs I: 30% vs 35%, respectively, P vs I: 44% vs 35%, respectively). Conclusions: Frequent exacerbations do not seem to be characterized by more prevalent discrepancies between asthma control parameters. %U