A role of inhaled corticosteroids in management of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: current recommendations. Expert panel conclusion

According to current evidence, therapy with inhales corticosteroids (ICS) is unsuccessful in majority of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Moreover,  long-term  therapy with ICS significantly increases the risk of adverse events. According to recent  international and Russian guidelines, there is a limited role of ICS in the management  of COPD  patients. The optimal risk/benefit ratio could be achieved in specific populations  of COPD  patients only. Therefore,  an therapeutic  algorithm for COPD  patients in Russia needs to be updated. A strategy of ICS with-drawal in patients who would not benefit from ICS should be included in the algorithm.  Based on actual findings, experts of Russian Respiratory Society updated the Russian algorithm for management  of COPD  patients including possibility of ICS withdrawal.

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