Chronic diseases and comorbidities have an increasing impact on individual life and health care use, as exemplified in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Currently, independent, comprehensive databases allowing for an integrated view are lacking. The study will for the first time establish a large, comprehensive longitudinal database covering a broad panel of comorbidities an markers of systemic alterations. These data will be of unique value in revealing specific phenotypes of COPD via patterns and risk profiles of comorbidities, enabling a more precise diagnosis and targeting of therapy, and an efficient allocation of resources.
