Cochrane review: inhaled steroids and risk of pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Cochrane review: inhaled steroids and risk of pneumonia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Poster presented at St George's University of London Research Day, December 2014.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs that can reduce the occurrence of COPD flare-ups and improve quality of life. In COPD, ICS are commonly used alongside long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA). Many studies have shown benefits of ICS, but they can also increase the risk of pneumonia which can be difficult to diagnose, and is often poorly reported in trials.

The objective of this study was to assess the risk of pneumonia associated with the use of fluticasone and budesonide for COPD.