Dr van Grunsven et al 1refer to our study comparing inhaled beclamethasone 750 μg twice daily with placebo in the long term management of COPD (their reference 11) and were unable to find the full report. Its reference isBronchitis V edited by D S Postma and J Gerritsen, published by Van Gorkum, Assen in 1994 (pages 280–4).

Our study followed up 74 patients at approximately two and five years after a double blind steroid trial. The mean (SE) decline in FEV₁ in those taking beclomethasone was 35 (21.5) ml/year at the two year follow up and 65 (10.3) ml/year at the five year follow up (not significant). In those not receiving inhaled steroids the mean (SE) decline in FEV₁ was 112 (23.3) ml/year at the two year follow up, decreasing significantly to 25.3 (19.5) ml/year at the time of the second follow up when they were given inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate. There was no relationship between the response to …