Systemic Consequences and Comorbidities in Mild/Moderate Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Time for Action!

Three groups will be included in this study: * Patients with COPD (cases) * Patients with smoking history but no COPD (smoking controls) * Patients with no smoking history and no COPD (non-smoking controls) An extensive test battery will be performed at baseline and after 3 years: Clinical assessment (height, weight and blood pressure)\* Complete pulmonary function ((post-bronchodilator)spirometry + diffusion)\* Sputum Induction Fasting venous blood sample (fasting glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, inflammatory markers, creatinine, NT pro BNP, hemoglobin, testosterone, vitamin D) Vascular screening (arterial stiffness - arterial stenosis - CIMT) Muscle force (peripheral + respiratory)\* Functional exercise capacity (6 MWT)\*\* Maximal exercise capacity (incremental cycle test)\*\* Dexa scan (osteoporosis - body composition) Spiral CT scan of the chest RX thorax - RX lumbar Questionnaires (MRC, CCQ, SF-36, EQ5D, HADS, Exacerbation, CATZ)\*\* Physical activity monitoring (sensewear armband)\* \* test will be repeated every 6 months \*\* test will be repeated every year !!!! Remark (26/9/2013) Based on the last data analyses, in contrast to our expectations, we concluded that the two groups with a smoking history, with or without COPD change in a similar way over time. The length of the study will therefore be prolonged with 3 more years (6 years in total). After 3 years the patients with a smoking history will be evaluated yearly, unless they were hospitalized for \>5 days. In that case we will sooner contact these patients in order to pick up comorbidities in these patients.!!!