[Pneumology. Inhaled corticosteroids in COPD: more and interesting data!].
In 2007, a large, three-years clinical trial (The "TORCH" study) has shown that inhaled corticosteroids in combination with long-acting beta-2-agonists tend to decrease all-causes mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This effect is statistically non-significant, but the trend is quite clear in this study. Surprisingly, however, this was absolutely not the case with inhaled corticosteroids as a single agent. In addition, inhaled corticosteroids, alone or combined with long-acting beta-2-agonists, decrease the rate of exacerbations in COPD, but paradoxically increase the risk of pneumonia in these patients. These new findings have implications for clinical practice.
Rochat
Thierry
T
Service de pneumologie, HUG, 1211 Genève 14. thierry.rochat@hcuge.ch
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists