[Assessment of respiratory function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases treated with budesonide].

The aim of the study was to carry out assessment of the respiratory function of patients with COPD undergoing a three month (600 microgram) treatment with an inhaled steroid--Budesonide. This was a double blind study carried out on 57 patients. During treatment with Budesonide a clinical improvement was seen. Respiratory function parameters did not alter throughout the 3 month treatment period, although bronchial reactivity diminished. Side effects were seen only in 3 patients--in all it was dysphonia. It seems that Budesonide can be added to other treatment protocols in patients with exacerbations of chronic bronchitis.