[Suggestions for therapy with glucocorticosteroids in obstructive airways diseases (author's transl)]

Glucocorticosteroids are an integrating component of complex therapy in severe obstructive airways diseases. The well known risks of this treatment may be minimized by observing the following rules: 1. Rigorous indication for long term therapy 2. Careful attention to certain concomitant diseases and contraindications 3. Control of therapy by continuous specialized supervision in a dispensaire. On the basis of modern literature and personal experience with glucocorticosteroid therapy in 1210 patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive bronchitis during the years 1972 to 1977 (34.9% of all patients in this group of diagnoses) are given some recommendations for practical handling of glucocorticosteroid therapy in obstructive airways diseases.