PROPULSION SANTE: Inflammometry to Improve the Diagnostic Trajectory in Situations of Suspected Asthma in Children and Adults

The objective of this observational study is to assess the relevance of inflammometry (based on the measurement of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and blood eosinophil count (BEC)) as a tool for prioritizing respiratory diagnostic tests.

The study will evaluate the role of inflammometry (FeNO and BEC) in prioritizing diagnostic respiratory tests. It will include patients aged six and older with suspected asthma, referred by non-pulmonologists for diagnostic asthma testing (spirometry or methacholine challenge test) at three hospital centers: Sherbrooke University Hospital Center (CHUS), Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center (CHU Sainte-Justine), and the Montreal Children's Hospital.

The hypothesis is that using inflammometry as a prioritization tool would reduce diagnostic delays for high-risk patients with elevated biomarkers. This study could help shorten wait times, relieve congestion in diagnostic testing queues, and improve the diagnostic pathway. Additionally, it would enhance the interpretation of pulmonary function test results by incorporating inflammometry findings, leading to better patient stratification.

Patients referred from primary care will undergo pulmonary function testing (spirometry ± methacholine challenge) and, as part of the study:

FeNO measurement using a portable device Blood test for eosinophil count Questionnaire on asthma control and quality of life, completed at the visit and at follow-ups at 4, 8, and 12 months