Quantifying the real life risk profile of inhaled corticosteroids in COPD by record linkage analysis.

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), especially when prescribed in combination with long-acting β2 agonists have been shown to improve COPD outcomes. Although there is consistent evidence linking ICS with adverse effects such as pneumonia, the complete risk profile is unclear with conflicting evidence on any association between ICS and the incidence or worsening of existing diabetes, cataracts and fractures. We investigated this using record linkage in a Dundee COPD population.