title: Epidemiology of obstruction, exacerbations and hyperreactivity. Effects of glucocorticosteroids and other anti-inflammatory treatment.
abstract: Validated and standardized questions are available for self-reporting of exacerbations of symptoms due to bronchopulmonary infections but not for non-infective exacerbations. The presence of non-specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness may help to identify smokers with a high risk of rapid decline in lung function, but change in bronchial responsiveness with treatment probably cannot be used to predict subsequent long-term progression in FEV1. In non-asthmatic individuals three months' treatment with glucocorticosteroids has not improved FEV1 nor reduced bronchial responsiveness; the effects of glucocorticosteroids on bronchial secretions and infections and long-term decline in FEV1 are largely unknown.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Pride
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013256:Steroids
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013256:Steroids