Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are widely used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) though their effectiveness is only proven in patients with certain phenotypes and remains controversial in others.

Sydney respiratory physician Dr Deborah Yates says overuse of ICS is “very common” in Australia sometimes resulting in undesirable consequences in patients with COPD.

“When I first came over from England, I was struck by how widespread the practice was over here,” says Dr Yates who is based at St Vincent’s Hospital and the University of NSW where she is a Conjoint Professor.

“The reflex action was to just reach for the LABA/ICS inhaler and I think a lot of patients are still being given doses that are  too high, or being prescribed ICS when they don’t need them.”