|
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
|
