Inhaled Corticosteroids in Patients With Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

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Abstract
Quiz Ref ID Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a smoking-related lung disease characterized by recurrent episodes of cough, sputum production, and breathlessness. The disease represents a substantial public health burden, affecting 10 million to 15 million persons in the United States.1 Currently, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for 120 000 deaths annually,2,3 and it is expected to be the third leading cause of death by 2020.2 No pharmacotherapy and few interventions, other than smoking cessation and supplemental oxygen, have been shown to improve mortality in patients with COPD.4-6 Therefore, current medical interventions focus on reducing symptoms and complications associated with COPD.7,8 Elevated levels of systemic and pulmonary inflammation in patients with stable COPD have led to the development of inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapies for such patients.7,9 These therapies can be formulated as monotherapy or combination therapy (ie, an ICS combined with a long-acting β2-agonist [LABA]).