Eosinophilic asthma, according to a blood eosinophil criterion, is associated with disease severity and lack of control among underprivileged urban Brazilians.

•Blood eosinophilia was associated with asthma severity and poor symptoms control.•Blood eosinophilia was not associated with reduced lung function.•Blood eosinophilia was not associated with the skin prick test to aeroallergens.•Blood eosinophilia was associated with high total IgE in the serum.