Corticoides inhalados y supervivencia en la EPOC

Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was considered to be only symptomatic until recently, but this has changed due to new findings on the physiopathology of this disease. The description of COPD as an inflammatory disease has provoked an accelerated search to demonstrate the possible beneficial effects of anti-inflammatory therapy in this disease. Initially, inhaled corticosteroids (IC) alone were tested, followed by IC in combination with long-acting beta2-agonists, known as combination therapy. Successive clinical trials, of increasing size and duration, to demonstrate the potential beneficial effects of anti-inflammatory therapy in COPD regarding goals of a reduction and even disappearance of symptoms, an improvement in pulmonary function and quality of life, and a decrease in the frequency and severity of exacerbations. The controversy regarding modification of the natural history of COPD and improved survival led to a multitude of debates, some still ongoing, and polarized attitudes. Finally, the longawaited results of the TORCH study are beginning to be known in 2006.