title: Steroid reversibility test followed by inhaled budesonide or placebo in outpatients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Danish Society of Respiratory Medicine.
abstract: The aim of this study was evaluate the predictive value of a 2 week course of prednisolone on the effect of 6 months treatment with inhaled budesonide in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Forty patients with stable COPD entered the study, and received prednisolone (37.5 mg o.d.) for 2 weeks. They were subsequently divided into steroid-irreversible and steroid-irreversible, using 15% of baseline as a dividing point. In each group patients were randomized to receive budesonide 400 micrograms b.i.d. or placebo for 6 months. During treatment with prednisolone, three patients dropped out because of side effects. Of the remaining 37, only two patients (5%) were reversible with prednisolone forced expiratory volume in 1s [(FEV1) > 15% of baseline], and among the steroid-irreversible, 26 patients were evaluated after 6 months treatment with either placebo or budesonide. No significant differences in spirometry values, symptoms, or number of exacerbations were found between these two groups. Reversibility with prednisolone is rarely seen in COPD. In outpatients with stable COPD and no signs of asthma or atopy, 2 weeks treatment with prednisolone seems to be of no value in choosing subsequent long-term therapy.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Senderovitz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vestbo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Frandsen
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maltbaek
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nørgaard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kampmann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D019819:Budesonide; D011239:Prednisolone