title: [Risk of pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treated with inhaled corticosteroids: evidence and uncertainties].
abstract: A large number of studies, evaluated by several meta-analyses, indicate that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with inhaled corticosteroids have a significantly increased risk of pneumonia which, however, is not associated with a corresponding increase in mortality. The increased risk seems to be exclusive of COPD, since meta-analyses involving patients with asthma treated with inhaled corticosteroids did not show a risk of pneumonia higher than that of the general population. Possible interventions to reduce this risk are to improve adherence to guidelines for prescribing inhaled corticosteroids in COPD (often used even in mild to moderate disease, for which they are not indicated), and using lower doses.
authors.affiliation: Cardiologia/Pneumologia Riabilitativa, ASST Gaetano Pini/CTO, Milano, Italia.
authors.forename: Cristoforo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Incorvaia
authors.affiliation: Cardiologia/Pneumologia Riabilitativa, ASST Gaetano Pini/CTO, Milano, Italia.
authors.forename: Bruna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gritti
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Parma, Italia.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Martignago
authors.affiliation: Reparto Cure Sub Acute, P.O. Città di Sesto San Giovanni, Italia.
authors.forename: Gian Galeazzo
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Riario-Sforza
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università di Parma, Italia.
authors.forename: Erminia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ridolo
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012306:Risk
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones