A 16-Week Study to Evaluate the Effect of Advair DISKUS™ 250/50mcg on Arterial Stiffness in Subjects With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, 16-Week Study to Evaluate the Effect of Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol DISKUS® 250/50mcg BID and Placebo on Arterial Stiffness in Subjects With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

The purpose of this study is to evaluate in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) if Advair DISKUS™ 250/50mcg BID modifies arterial stiffness which is a measure associated with risk of heart disease.

This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study to evaluate the effect of Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol DISKUS 250/50mcg (FSC) BID on arterial stiffness in COPD subjects. Following a 1 to 14 day run-in period, approximately 250 subjects will be randomly assigned to double-blind treatment for 12 weeks. After the 12 week treatment period, subjects in both treatment arms will receive open label Tiotropium bromide Handihaler18mcg (Tio)QD for 4 weeks in addition to their continued study drug (either FSC250/50 or placebo). The primary measure of efficacy is Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) at Endpoint. Secondary efficacy measures include Augmentation Index (AIx), Biomarkers of cardiovascular disease, measures of lung function. (e.g. FEV1). Safety will be assessed through the collection of adverse events and COPD exacerbations. Exploratory endpoints include the effect of Tiotropium on PWV and AIx when added to placebo or FSC. Treatment groups will be stratified based on current smoking status. There will be a total of 6 study visits (screening, randomization, and after 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks of treatment). A follow-up phone contact for collection of adverse event and pregnancy information (if applicable) will be conducted approximately 14 days following the last study visit.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Signed and dated written informed consent obtained from the subject and/or subject's legally acceptable representative prior to study participation.
• Males or females greater then or equal to 50 years of age.
• A post-albuterol FEV1/FVC ratio of < or equal to 0.70
• A post-albuterol FEV1 < 80% of predicted normal.
• Patients can be current or fomer smoker and must have a cigarette smoking history of > greater then or equal to 10 pack-years .

Exclusion Criteria:

• A current diagnosis of asthma
• A body mass index (BMI) of > or equal to 35kg/m2
• A respiratory diagnosis other than COPD (e.g., lung cancer, bronchiectasis, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, lung fibrosis).