Main inclusion criteria | Main exclusion criteria |
---|---|
Written informed consent obtained according to local regulations | Clinical instability (exacerbation 6 months prior to baseline as indicated by treatment) |
History of COPD for at least 12 months prior to baseline, with chronic productive cough for at least three months in each of the two years prior to baseline | Upper/lower respiratory tract infection not resolved 4 weeks prior to baseline |
Outpatients 40–80 years of age | Diagnosis of asthma and/or other relevant lung disease or previous episodes of pneumothorax |
Post-bronchodilator 30% ≤ FEV1 ≤ 80% predicted | Known alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency |
Post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio ≤ 70% | History of intubation for COPD or a respiratory failure of any cause in the past year |
Current or former smokers with smoking history ≥ 20 pack years | Formal contraindications to sputum collection |
Suspicion or diagnosis of a bleeding disorder irrespective of its pathophysiological mechanism |