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Current understanding of corticosteroid therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): an overview
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is mainly caused by smoking and presents with shortness of breath that is progressive and irreversible. In the third world use of biomass fuel has also been associated with COPD. It is a worldwide health problem and fourth most common cause of chronic disability and mortality even in developed countries. It is a complex disease in which both airway and lung parenchyma is involved.
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are widely used in clinical practice for the management of COPD however, their efficacy is still debated. They have shown beneficial effects on airway inflammation & infections and have also improved lung function and quality of life of COPD patients.
There is epidemiological evidence that steroids might also protect against lung cancer in mild-moderate COPD but not so much in severe disease. This might be due to their effects on the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is active in smokers and COPD.
Corticosteroids (CS) colloquially steroids are naturally occurring biomolecules produced in the adrenal cortex and have a multitude of roles which includes: carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism, inflammation and regulation of water, electrolyte etc. Based on their functions steroids are classified as glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids, only the former have anti-inflammatory properties which have been chemically modified to produce potent anti-inflammatory drugs which also retain the metabolic and bone effects of the primary chemical.
History
Publication title
International Journal of Medical and Biological FrontiersVolume
21ISSN
1081-3829Department/School
School of Health SciencesPublisher
United StatesPlace of publication
Nova Science Publishers, Inc.Repository Status
- Restricted