Systemic glucocorticoids moderately effective for exacerbations of COPD Systemic glucocorticoids moderately effective for exacerbations of COPD Reference Niewoehner DE, Erbland ML, Deupree RH, et al. Effect of systemic glucocorticoids on exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Background Inhaled and systemic glucocorticoids are effective in the treatment of asthma.
Glucocorticoids are prescribed for COPD in several different situations. Population studied Adults aged 50 years or older seeking care at a Veteran's Affairs Medical Center were included if they had at least a 30 pack-year history of cigarette smoking and either an FEV1 less than 1.50 liters or the inability to perform spirometry. This was a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at 25 VA medical centers. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups. One group received 3 days of IV methylprednisolone followed by oral prednisone tapered over an eight-week period.