The Mixed Phenotype of Asthma and COPD: the Overlap Syndrome

Total asthma control questionnaire (ACQ) score

RATIONALE:
 
 In asthmatic subjects, smoking can lead to several changes in disease characterictics. in
 smokers of more than 20 pack-years, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be
 associated with asthma, also called asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS). Increasing data
 support the concept that ACOS is a clinical entity. However, this should be further studied
 in order to better target therapy.
 
 AIM:
 
 The objective of this study is to evaluate the comparative features of ACOS
 
 METHODS:
 
 This will be a descriptive study comparing the features of the ACOS with the features of
 asthmatic subjects with an incomplete reversibility of airway obstruction (IRAO).The study
 will be done over 1 or 2 visits (within a week interval), according to subjects'
 availability. The visit will include completion of different questionnaires (asthma control
 asthma quality of life, medical history, exacerbations, etc.), a thoracic examination,
 allergy skin-prick tests, spirometry and bronchodilator response, lung volumes and compliance
 measurements, exhaled nitric oxide measurement, blood sampling and a sputum induction.