title: [COPD in the year 2005].
abstract: COPD is a widespread illness with an increasing prevalence and mortality rate. Current knowledge of its pathophysiology has it that COPD is not simply limited to the lungs, but must be understood as a systemic inflammatory reaction. The ATS/ERS guideline goes beyond the recommendations of the GOLD guideline, and takes account of the peculiarities of the European and North American healthcare systems (www.ersnet.org). In this context, the role of inhaled steroids, which is currently still under lively discussion, has to be revisited. Additional possible approaches include the administration of appetite stimulants and dietary measures, and the application of iron or erythropoietin. The TORCH study--currently the largest ongoing COPD study--is investigating the influence of inhaled glucocorticoids and long-acting beta2 agonists on mortality.
authors.affiliation: Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin. matthias.john@charite.de
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Witt
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D015444:Exercise; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids