Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

 Age between 40 and 70 years

 Diagnosis of COPD or at risk for COPD

 Smoking History >10 pack years (for nonsmokers less than 100 cigarettes in lifetime)

 FEV₁ 30–60 % (COPD group), normal FEV₁ (Healthy Smoker Group)

 English speaking

Exclusion criteria

 Diagnosis of chronic sinusitis or allergic rhinitis

 Presence of other lung disease (including asthma)

 Pregnancy

 Sinusitis or URI within the last 6 weeks

 COPD Exacerbation within 6 weeks of screening visit

 Presence of infiltrate or mass on CT scan

 Anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy within 6 half lives of bronchoscopy

 Known allergy to lidocaine

 Predisposition to bleeding

 Chronic treatment with steroids, oral or inhaled that cannot be discontinued for 4 weeks prior to study

 Unwillingness to participate in study