Smoking lung treatment even without cortisone

COPD: Treatment of smoker's lung even without cortisone?

09/10/2014

Millions of people in Germany suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The smoker's lung is often treated with cortisone. However, one study has now shown that cortisone discontinuation in some patients does not worsen the condition.

Millions of Germans suffer from a smoker's lung
It is estimated that about three to five million people in Germany suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also called smoker's lung. The main symptom of the widespread disease is the smoker's cough, which is characterized by increased secretion of airways, as well as a corresponding cough in the morning with expectoration and mild onset of respiratory distress. The disease is often treated with cortisone. However, a study published today showed that stopping cortisone during treatment changes the patient's condition „with high probability“ will not worsen.

Smoking is the main risk factor for COPD
The main risk factor for COPD is smoking. However, passive smoking, environmental pollution or occupational exposure, for example due to chemicals, are also considered as risk factors. In the case of illness it comes again and again to acute worsening. Patients are advised to quit smoking. The symptoms are treated with medications such as cortisone. However, researchers have now discovered that in severe COPD conditions cortisone treatment may be waived under certain conditions. The results of the study, led by Professor Helgo Magnussen, have now been published in the journal „The New England Journal of Medicine“ released.

Study with participants from 23 countries
So far, the guidelines for treating severe COPD suggest that inhaled cortisone therapy should be used. This usually provides symptomatic relief and reduces the frequency of acute worsening, but can not improve the overall condition of the patient and can not subside the disease. For the study, the 2,488 participants in 23 countries were divided into two groups. In one group, subjects received one-year triple therapy with two bronchodilators plus inhalation of cortisone for one year. In the other group, this therapy was also started, but by the end of the study period cortisone had been reduced to zero in several stages over 18 weeks.

The condition of the patient is unlikely to worsen
„We found that there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of acute worsening between the two groups“, said Magnussen, according to a post „world“ With. „The bottom line of our study is that if a patient is in a stable phase of their illness, the doctor may try to stop the inhaled cortisone. Most likely, it will not worsen its condition and reduce the risk of side effects. The abandonment of cortisone in our study was conditional on patients continuing to inhale two drugs to dilate the bronchi.“ (Ad)