International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2010
ReviewAn overview of the benefits and drawbacks of inhaled corticosteroids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The benefit harm profile of inhaled corticosteroids, and their effect on patient oriented outcomes and comorbid pneumonia, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease remain uncertain. ⋯ Among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, clinicians should carefully balance these long-term risks of inhaled corticosteroid against their symptomatic benefits.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2010
ReviewPotential role of stem cells in management of COPD.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a worldwide epidemic affecting over 200 million people and accounting for more than three million deaths annually. The disease is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways and progressive destruction of lung parenchyma, a process that in most cases is initiated by cigarette smoking. ⋯ Regeneration of lung tissue by stem cells from endogenous and exogenous sources is a promising therapeutic strategy. Herein we review the current literature on the characterization of resident stem and progenitor cell niches within the lung, the contribution of mesenchymal stem cells to lung regeneration, and advances in bioengineering of lung tissue.
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Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis · Jan 2010
ReviewAssociation between lung function and exacerbation frequency in patients with COPD.
To quantify the relationship between severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as expressed by Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage and the annual exacerbation frequency in patients with COPD. ⋯ This study provides an estimate of the exacerbation frequency per GOLD stage, which can be used for health economic and modeling purposes.