title: [Pulmonary diseases in the elderly. Problems of pharmacotherapy].
abstract: In asthma, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) can be regarded as disease-modifying drugs. They represent the mainstay of pharmacotherapy of asthma. In elderly, ICS are currently underused. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is recent evidence to suggest that ICS may reduce the rate and severity of COPD exacerbations and may improve health-related quality of life. Particularly patients with moderate-to-severe COPD appear to benefit from ICS therapy. In both asthma and COPD, fixed combinations of ICS and long-acting beta 2-agonists may provide clinically meaningful benefits to patients and may represent a further therapeutic advantage.
authors.affiliation: Innere Medizin V, Medizinische Universitätsklinik, Homburg. pnduke@uniklinik-saarland.de
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ukena
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents