A Study in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This was a phase IIIb, multicentre, multinational, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, 2-arm parallel group design preceded by a 2-week run-in period in patients with COPD. The study compared the efficacy and safety of Foster® 100/6 (two puffs b.i.d.) versus Seretide® 500/50 (one inhalation b.i.d.), over a 12-week treatment period. The study plan included: * A pre-screening visit (V0, at week -3 days before the randomization visit) during which clinical instructions to determine patients' adaptability to the study procedures were given. This could be done only after the participants agreed to participate and signed the Informed Consent form; * A screening visit (V1, week -2) in which patients with COPD were selected; * A run-in period, lasting from a minimum of 12 to a maximum of 16 days, where patients received a standardised treatment with inhaled aerosol ipratropium bromide (Atrovent® Inhaler CFC-free 20 μg), 1 inhalation four times daily (daily dose of 80 μg) and had any nonpermitted medication withdrawn prior to entry into test treatment period; * A randomisation visit (V2, week 0) during which patients were randomly allocated to one of the two treatment arms, and subsequent visits taking place at clinics after 4 (V3), after 8 (V4) and after 12 weeks (V5) of treatment. The end of the trial was defined as the last visit of the last subject on the trial. After 7-10 days of last study medication intake, a follow-up phone contact to document and treat adverse events that might possibly occur was performed. The total study duration per participant was 16 weeks, including the 2-week run-in period, 12-week treatment phase, and 7-10 days of follow-up. Salbutamol was used as a rescue medication.