Long-term inhaled corticosteroid use not linked to fracture risk in asthma Review offers reassurance over link between long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids and bone density.…
Iron deficiency in COPD patients could point to new treatment approach Iron deficiency is more common in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than in those without the lung condition, finds new research.…
Oxygen therapy: emergency use and long term treatment Emergency oxygen treatment is used two million times a year by ambulance services, and almost one in five hospital patients in the UK are being treated with oxygen at any one time.…
Inhaled corticosteroids in COPD have neutral effect on mortality despite increased pneumonia risk Use of inhaled corticosteroids in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia but a neutral or even reduced risk of pneumonia-associated and overall mortality.…
Improving outcomes for COPD patients An initiative to improve COPD care at Barts Health NHS Trust in London has led to improved health outcomes.…
Osteoporosis drug shows promise as COPD treatment Repurposing the bisphosphonate bone drug alendronate relieves symptoms of emphysema associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by targeting alveolar macrophages, according to a study in mice…
Inhaled corticosteroids: managing side effects Inhaled corticosteroids are commonly prescribed but need careful management to minimise the risk of side effects.…
Generic prescribing is not appropriate for inhaled drugsThe UK is experiencing an explosion of new drugs and inhaler devices being licensed for people with respiratory disease, increasing the complexity of prescribing for people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The management of how these new products are introduced into clini…
Oxygen therapy reduces dyspnoea in COPD patients with mild disease Continuous oxygen during exertion, but not short-burst therapy, significantly reduces dyspnoea in patients with mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, researchers find.…
Targeting disease in the developing world A new report by the Access to Medicine Index finds that pharmaceutical companies influence access to medicines in developing countries through the development of innovative and adapted products, operating equitable pricing strategies and building local capacity.…