Effects of corticosteroids in "chronic bronchitis" and "chronic obstructive airway disease".

In order to improve our knowledge concerning the supposedly beneficial effects of corticosteroids in patients with "chronic bronchitis" and "chronic obstructive airway disease" (COAD), it is necessary to define our patients carefully, so that every investigator can interpret the data adequately. Up to now, no definite conclusion can be drawn as to the profitable effect of corticosteroids in COAD. A combination of data from many studies on oral and inhaled corticosteroids strongly suggests that long-term studies in large groups of patients are essential if we wish to determine a potential treatment effect. In this way, a sub-group of patients who improve on corticosteroids may be found too. In addition to objective measurements, e.g. degree of airflow obstruction and airway hyperresponsiveness (AH), subjective data and information on the patient's quality of life and exacerbations should be included for evaluation.