Corticosteroids

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are prone to acute exacerbations that may cause a substantial decline in functional status, hospitalization, and even death. COPD exacerbations represent a major burden on health-care resources in most of the developed world (1). Viral and bacterial agents probably cause most exacerbations, and a substantial proportion can be prevented by regular immunizations (2-4). Standard treatment for established exacerbations has long included antibiotics and bronchodilators, along with oxygen and assisted ventilation in the most severely ill.