PASIC
The consequence of adrenal suppression due to ICS in adults is not clearly understood but potentially it may cause a blunted response when the individual suffers from an insult such as infection. This model may well explain why exogenous corticosteroids result in improvement when treating exacerbations in COPD patients. Our first line therapy is to give patients prednisolone or hydrocortisone which we know has an impact on airway inflammation, but it is also possible that these patients have not been able to achieve a significant adrenal response and giving exogenous steroids is helping them overcome their subclinical adrenal insufficiency. Our study aims to examine this hypothesis and identify possible genetic factors which may increase the risk of adrenal suppression in COPD patients on ICS.
Key Contacts
Cerys Pennington - Study Co-ordinator Email: cerys.pennington@liv.ac.uk