Short- and long-term efficacy of fluticasone propionate in subjects with early signs and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Results of the DIMCA study

Background. Early treatment with inhaled corticosteroids may prevent progression of irreversible obstruction in COPD, especially in patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. We investigated the clinical effects of early introduction of inhaled steroids in subjects showing early signs and symptoms of COPD without a prior clinical diagnosis.