Relatively little information is available about the effects of salmeterol/fluticasone combination and fluticasone alone in COPD patients with a partial reversible pulmonary obstruction. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of salmeterol/fluticasone combination with fluticasone alone delivered via Diskus/ACCUHALER inhaler in subjects with COPD on lung function over a 1 year period.

Multi-centre, double-blind, randomised and stratified parallel group study to compare the efficacy and safety of fluticasone propionate 500 mcg bd versus salmeterol/fluticasone combination 50/250 mcg bd both via Diskus inhaler during 1 year in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD) patients with a partially reversible obstruction.

Inclusion criteria:

• Established history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Lung function parameters: FEV1/FVC ratio < 70%, FEV1 between 80% and 30% predicted, a reversibility of airway obstruction of 12% of the initial value with a minimum of 200 mL.
• Signed and dated informed consent.

Exclusion criteria:

• History of asthma or allergy.
• Unstable COPD in the 3 months before the study.
• Interference of non-pulmonary medication or diseases with COPD outcome parameters.