Sputum will be collected from all patients at enrolment, at monthly follow-up visits, at exacerbation visits, and during the final visit. Sputum will be obtained by spontaneous expectoration or induced by stimulation according to standard methods.

Nasopharyngeal swabs will be collected from all patients at enrolment and from a subcohort of 30 patients at monthly follow-up visits and at exacerbation visits during the first year.

Urine samples will be taken at enrolment and exacerbation visits from all subjects and from the same subcohort of 30 patients providing nasopharyngeal swabs, at monthly follow-up visits during the first year.

Breath samples will be collected from all patients at enrolment, at follow-up visits (monthly), at exacerbation visits, and during the final visit.

Patient interview, diary cards review and questionnaires completion

Urine pregnancy test, chest CT-scan, lung function testing and 6-min walk test

Sputum samples were tested by bacterial species (any bacteria, Hi, Mcat, Sp, Sta, Psa and other bacteria), or overall and were obtained from culture at each visit (enrollment, any stable visit, any exacerbation visit, any mild exacerbation visit, any moderate exacerbation visit, any severe exacerbation visit). This endpoint presents results for Mcat and Sp.

Sputum samples were tested by bacterial species (any bacteria, Hi, Mcat, Sp, Sta, Psa and other bacteria), or overall and were obtained from culture at each visit (enrollment, any stable visit, any exacerbation visit, any mild exacerbation visit, any moderate exacerbation visit, any severe exacerbation visit). This endpoint presents results for Sta, Psa and other bacteria.

The number of days between 2 consecutive exacerbations, as estimated by the investigator, was calculated only whenever the first exacerbation had an end date.

The exacerbations of chronic pulmonary disease tool version 1.0 (EXACT) is a validated self-administered instrument that evaluates the effects of pharmacologic treatment on acute exacerbations of COPD. Analyses of exacerbations in relation to morning or evening EXACT-PRO e-diaries were presented as follows: descriptive statistics on the EXACT daily scores tabulated at enrolment, at any stable and at any, mild, moderate or severe exacerbation visit. EXACT-PRO contains 14 questions with scores ranging from 0 to 4, where 0= best outcome while 4= worse outcome.

The COPD assessment test (CAT) is a validated self-administered instrument designed to provide a simple and reliable measure of health status in COPD patients. Its properties have been shown to be similar to the St George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ). The CAT comprises 8 items and has a scoring range of 0-40, 0= most positive answer and 40= most negative answer. In this study, the subjects were to complete the CAT questionnaire every 3 months.

The NEADL assessed (quarterly in the present study) the ease or difficulty in performing extended activities of daily living. The NEADL scale contains 22 items, each measured on a 4-point Likert scale. There are four dimensions: mobility (6 items); kitchen (5 items); domestic (5 items); leisure (6 items). These are summed producing a total score reflecting general functioning. Each of the 22 individual items had 2 possible scores (0 or 1). Therefore, the range of the NEADL score was 0 to 22. Lower scores indicate greater levels of disability while higher scores indicate greater independence.

The EQ-5D is an established measure of generic health outcome that provides a simple descriptive profile and a single index value that can be used in clinical and economic evaluation of healthcare and in population surveys. Its current format is 3-level and 5 dimensional (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression). The EQ-5D index was derived from the ratings recorded every 3 months for each of the five individual items (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression). The EQ-5D index was 0 (worst health state) to 100 (best health state). The negative numbers presented represent a decrease from baseline values and a worsening of health.

AECOPD health care type included: general practitioners (other than the study doctor), pneumologists, other specialists, hospital emergency department, home care nurses, pulmonary rehabilitation programs and/or nutrition advices.

Serious adverse events (SAEs) include medical occur-rences that result in death, are life threatening, require hospitali-zation or prolongation of hospitalization or result in disabil-ity/incapacity.

Bacterial pathogens assessed, by PCR assay were: Hi, Mcat, Sp, Sta, Psa, Streptococcus pyogenes (Spyo) and any bacteria.

Viral pathogens assessed were: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), entero rhinovirus (ENV), human metapneumovirus (HMP), influenza virus (INV), adenovirus (ADV), coronavirus (CRV), human bocavirus (HBoV) and any virus.

Viral pathogens assessed were: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), entero rhinovirus (ENV), human metapneumovirus (HMP), influenza virus (INV), adenovirus (ADV), coronavirus (CRV), human bocavirus (HBoV) and any virus. Mild exacerbations were defined as worsening symptoms of COPD that were self-managed by the patient.

Viral pathogens assessed were: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), entero rhinovirus (ENV), human metapneumovirus (HMP), influenza virus (INV), adenovirus (ADV), coronavirus (CRV), human bocavirus (HBoV) and any virus. Moderate exacerbations were defined as worsening symptoms of COPD that required treatment with oral corticosteroids and/or antibiotics.

Viral pathogens assessed were: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), entero rhinovirus (ENV), human metapneumovirus (HMP), influenza virus (INV), adenovirus (ADV), coronavirus (CRV), human bocavirus (HBoV) and any virus. Severe exacerbations were defined as worsening symptoms of COPD that required treatment with in-patient hospitalisation or home care intervention.

An Acute Exacerbation in a COPD patient is an event in the natural course of the disease characterized by a change in the patient's baseline dyspnea, cough, and/or sputum production and beyond normal day to day variations, that is acute in onset and may warrant a change in regular medication in a patient with underlying COPD. AECOPD severity was assessed as: any, mild, moderate and severe. Any = any COPD symptom regardless of severity. Mild = Worsening symptoms of COPD that are self-managed by the patient. Moderate = Worsening symptoms of COPD that require treatment with oral corticosteroids and/or antibiotics. Severe = Worsening symptoms of COPD that require treatment with in-patient hospitalisation or home care intervention.

For additional information about this study please refer to the GSK Clinical Study Register

For additional information about this study please refer to the GSK Clinical Study Register

For additional information about this study please refer to the GSK Clinical Study Register

For additional information about this study please refer to the GSK Clinical Study Register

For additional information about this study please refer to the GSK Clinical Study Register

For additional information about this study please refer to the GSK Clinical Study Register

Race and Ethnicity were not collected from any participant.

Bacterial pathogens assessed were: Haemophilus influenzae (Hi), Moraxella catarrhalis (Mcat), Steptococcus pneumoniae (Sp), Staphylococcus Aureus (Sta), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Psa), any or other. For each bacteria, the means and CIs were estimated from Negative Binomial model taking into account the follow up time.Estimated exacerbations were presented as mean number of exacerbations/ subject/ year.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

Bacterial pathogens assessed, by culture, were: Haemophilus influenzae (Hi), Moraxella catarrhalis (Mcat), Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp), Staphylococcus aureus (Sta), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Psa), any bacteria or other bacteria. Overall exacerbation rate is the average number of exacerbations for each subject during their time in the study.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

Sputum samples were tested by bacterial species (any bacteria, Hi, Mcat, Sp, Sta, Psa and other bacteria), or overall and were obtained from culture at each visit (enrollment, any stable visit, any exacerbation visit, any mild exacerbation visit, any moderate exacerbation visit, any severe exacerbation visit). This endpoint presents results for any bacteria and Hi.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

Sputum samples were tested by bacterial species (any bacteria, Hi, Mcat, Sp, Sta, Psa and other bacteria), or overall and were obtained from culture at each visit (enrollment, any stable visit, any exacerbation visit, any mild exacerbation visit, any moderate exacerbation visit, any severe exacerbation visit). This endpoint presents results for Mcat and Sp.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

Sputum samples were tested by bacterial species (any bacteria, Hi, Mcat, Sp, Sta, Psa and other bacteria), or overall and were obtained from culture at each visit (enrollment, any stable visit, any exacerbation visit, any mild exacerbation visit, any moderate exacerbation visit, any severe exacerbation visit). This endpoint presents results for Sta, Psa and other bacteria.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

The number of days between 2 consecutive exacerbations, as estimated by the investigator, was calculated only whenever the first exacerbation had an end date.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

The exacerbations of chronic pulmonary disease tool version 1.0 (EXACT) is a validated self-administered instrument that evaluates the effects of pharmacologic treatment on acute exacerbations of COPD. Analyses of exacerbations in relation to morning or evening EXACT-PRO e-diaries were presented as follows: descriptive statistics on the EXACT daily scores tabulated at enrolment, at any stable and at any, mild, moderate or severe exacerbation visit. EXACT-PRO contains 14 questions with scores ranging from 0 to 4, where 0= best outcome while 4= worse outcome.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

The COPD assessment test (CAT) is a validated self-administered instrument designed to provide a simple and reliable measure of health status in COPD patients. Its properties have been shown to be similar to the St George's respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ). The CAT comprises 8 items and has a scoring range of 0-40, 0= most positive answer and 40= most negative answer. In this study, the subjects were to complete the CAT questionnaire every 3 months.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

The NEADL assessed (quarterly in the present study) the ease or difficulty in performing extended activities of daily living. The NEADL scale contains 22 items, each measured on a 4-point Likert scale. There are four dimensions: mobility (6 items); kitchen (5 items); domestic (5 items); leisure (6 items). These are summed producing a total score reflecting general functioning. Each of the 22 individual items had 2 possible scores (0 or 1). Therefore, the range of the NEADL score was 0 to 22. Lower scores indicate greater levels of disability while higher scores indicate greater independence.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

The EQ-5D is an established measure of generic health outcome that provides a simple descriptive profile and a single index value that can be used in clinical and economic evaluation of healthcare and in population surveys. Its current format is 3-level and 5 dimensional (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression). The EQ-5D index was derived from the ratings recorded every 3 months for each of the five individual items (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression). The EQ-5D index was 0 (worst health state) to 100 (best health state). The negative numbers presented represent a decrease from baseline values and a worsening of health.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

AECOPD health care type included: general practitioners (other than the study doctor), pneumologists, other specialists, hospital emergency department, home care nurses, pulmonary rehabilitation programs and/or nutrition advices.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

Serious adverse events (SAEs) include medical occur-rences that result in death, are life threatening, require hospitali-zation or prolongation of hospitalization or result in disabil-ity/incapacity.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

Bacterial pathogens assessed, by PCR assay were: Hi, Mcat, Sp, Sta, Psa, Streptococcus pyogenes (Spyo) and any bacteria.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

Viral pathogens assessed were: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), entero rhinovirus (ENV), human metapneumovirus (HMP), influenza virus (INV), adenovirus (ADV), coronavirus (CRV), human bocavirus (HBoV) and any virus.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

Viral pathogens assessed were: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), entero rhinovirus (ENV), human metapneumovirus (HMP), influenza virus (INV), adenovirus (ADV), coronavirus (CRV), human bocavirus (HBoV) and any virus. Mild exacerbations were defined as worsening symptoms of COPD that were self-managed by the patient.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

Viral pathogens assessed were: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), entero rhinovirus (ENV), human metapneumovirus (HMP), influenza virus (INV), adenovirus (ADV), coronavirus (CRV), human bocavirus (HBoV) and any virus. Moderate exacerbations were defined as worsening symptoms of COPD that required treatment with oral corticosteroids and/or antibiotics.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

Viral pathogens assessed were: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza virus (PIV), entero rhinovirus (ENV), human metapneumovirus (HMP), influenza virus (INV), adenovirus (ADV), coronavirus (CRV), human bocavirus (HBoV) and any virus. Severe exacerbations were defined as worsening symptoms of COPD that required treatment with in-patient hospitalisation or home care intervention.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.

An Acute Exacerbation in a COPD patient is an event in the natural course of the disease characterized by a change in the patient's baseline dyspnea, cough, and/or sputum production and beyond normal day to day variations, that is acute in onset and may warrant a change in regular medication in a patient with underlying COPD. AECOPD severity was assessed as: any, mild, moderate and severe. Any = any COPD symptom regardless of severity. Mild = Worsening symptoms of COPD that are self-managed by the patient. Moderate = Worsening symptoms of COPD that require treatment with oral corticosteroids and/or antibiotics. Severe = Worsening symptoms of COPD that require treatment with in-patient hospitalisation or home care intervention.

The analyses of AECOPD were performed on the Full cohort, which included all subjects eligible for inclusion based on medical history and study specific procedures defined in the protocol and who completed at least the Day 0 visit.