According to a new study published in the CHEST, peer-reviewed journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), patients with COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and administered with corticosteroids are less likely to struggle with mortality risk.

It was remarked by Christine Macie, MD, FCCP, Cambridge Hospital, Ontario, Canada and author of this study, that survival rate of COPD patients using inhaled corticosteroids is improved by a considerable extent.

From Bio-medicine.org:

“Our results indicate that the effect of inhaled corticosteroids is relatively short-term and that those currently using it are relatively better protected, ” said Dr. Macie. “Inhaled corticosteroids should be prescribed as soon as clinically indicated. By treating COPD with inhaled corticosteroids, we have the potential to reduce the effect and prolong life.”

“The findings from this study are intriguing for clinicians and point to the need for further research to define the role and mechanisms of the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on both cardiovascular and respiratory mortality,” said W. Michael Alberts, MD, FCCP, President of the ACCP.

It was also remarked by Dr. Macie that COPD patients on corticosteroids are better placed than those not using them. It was noticed during the study that patients on inhaled corticosteroids within 30 days of hospital discharge had a 25 percent reduced all-cause mortality rate and cardiovascular related deaths got reduced by 38 percent when corticosteroids were administered to the patients with beta- agonists.