A recent analysis of a major trial highlighted the risk in COPD patients citing a link between increased risks of pneumonia and inhaled steroid therapy.

According to the first detailed analysis of safety data obtained from the influential TORCH study, there is a risk of pneumonia with inhaled steroid therapy by as much as 50 percent. It was also found that the risk of pneumonia is more in older patients and those with worse lung function.

It is important to note here that even the National Prescribing Centre highlighted the risk of pneumonia from inhaled steroid therapy and it even suggested that the GPs must discuss the pros and cons of steroid treatment before prescribing inhaled steroids.

From Pulsetoday.co.uk:

The three-year retrospective analysis of 6,184 patients with moderate to severe COPD found rates of pneumonia were significantly higher in patients taking both fluticasone alone and in combination with salmeterol, compared with placebo.

They found 16% of patients taking the combination had a report of pneumonia, compared with 14% of patients on fluticasone alone and 9% in the placebo group.

This increased risk translated to a 52% increased risk of pneumonia in all patients taking inhaled steroids, with patients over 65 showing a 74% increased risk compared with those younger than 55 years.

The National Prescribing Centre recently highlighted the risk of pneumonia from inhaled steroids, saying GPs should discuss the potential risks with all patients before prescribing.

It made the move following the publication of several large-scale studies linking the drugs with sharply increased rates of pneumonia.

Professor Peter Calverley, one of the authors of this analysis and professor of respiratory medicine at the University of Liverpool, confirmed there is an increased risk in patients on inhaled steroids or in combination with beta-agonists.