ABSTRACT
Glucocorticosteriods are undoubtedly the most effective controller medication for the treatment of asthma (1,2). They are also very effective in the treatment of acute severe asthma exacerbations. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has many similarities with asthma, including common symptoms and airflow limitation. It is therefore not at all surprising that glucocorticosteroids have been and are being used extensively in the management of COPD, both in the long-term treatment and in the management of acute exacerbations (3). However, evidence supporting or refuting the use of glucocorticosteroids in COPD has so far been rather scarce. Controlled studies in a sufficient number of subjects have only recently become available, and evidence is still missing for a number of important clinical issues. The widespread use of glucocorticosteroids in COPD might reflect the confusion between asthma and COPD, the clinically perceived beneficial effect, or the need to do something for patients with COPD (3). Similar to other treatment for COPD, the assessment of the efficacy of glucocorticosteroids is hampered by the limited availability of
clinically relevant, appropriately standardized, and reproducible outcome measures.
