COPD management is effectively managed with steroids

The use of inhaled steroids can be extremely useful for reducing the mortality rate associated with in COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), according to a study appearing in an issue of CHEST, the peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).

It was reported by the study that patients making use of steroids in pairing with beta-agonists tend to notice a reduction in cardiovascular-related death alone by 38 percent.

From Sciencedaily.com:

Dr. Macie and colleagues found that the mortality rates in patients 65+ who received inhaled corticosteroids were 11.7 percent, compared with 13.1 percent for those who did not. Patients in the younger group showed even greater results, with a mortality rate of 3.0 percent for patients receiving inhaled corticosteroids within 90 days, compared with 6.0 percent for those who did not, providing a mortality reduction rate of 53 percent. When patients who received steroids in the year prior were removed from the analysis, mortality was reduced by 34 percent. Researchers attribute this finding to multifactorial reasons, including reductions in exacerbations of the disease and suppression of inflammation.

Researchers also found a 23 percent reduced risk of death when comparing the effects of inhaled steroids with bronchodilators in patients in the 65+ group. In all cases, the most significant results were found when inhaled corticosteroids were administered within the first 30 days following hospital discharge.

W. Michael Alberts, MD, FCCP, President of the ACCP, remarked that findings of this study have implications for clinicians and suggest the requirement of further research in order to define the roles and mechanisms of the effects of inhaled steroids on both respiratory and cardiovascular mortality.