T/F: Oral steroids are the main daily treatment for chronic COPD patients.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not used
• D. Only inhaled steroids

Answer: (B)

Oral steroids are not the main daily treatment for chronic COPD. Systemic corticosteroids carry significant side effects when used long-term (like osteoporosis, glucose intolerance, hypertension, and impaired immunity), so they’re not used as everyday maintenance therapy. Daily COPD control relies on inhaled maintenance meds—long-acting bronchodilators such as a long-acting beta-agonist or a long-acting muscarinic antagonist, often with inhaled corticosteroids added in patients with frequent exacerbations or higher eosinophil counts. Short courses of oral steroids are reserved for acute COPD exacerbations to quickly reduce inflammation, not for daily management. Therefore, the statement is false.