Follow-up-study of COPD Patients and Healthy Controls for Evaluation of Predictive Non-coding RNA Biomarkers

Follow-up-study of Participants (COPD Patients and Healthy Control Subjects) From the Cross-sectional Study "11-03 Ribolution" for the Evaluation of Predictive Biomarkers Based on Non-coding RNA

Between 2012 and 2014, a cohort of 90 COPD subjects of disease severity grades GOLD I-IV as well as 60 healthy control subjects (30 smokers and 30 non-smokers) have been examined regarding different clinical and blood/ sputum derived biomarkers at the investigators' research center. This observation study will follow-up/re-examine all available subjects regarding disease course and treatment changes after 3 years (+/-6 months) for the investigation of ncRNA/ transcriptome biomarkers for their potential to indicate disease progression. In addition, biobanking of respective biosamples for potential future COPD biomarker research will be conducted.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants in Study "11-03 Ribolution"
• Able and willing to give written informed consent
• Not pregnant, as confirmed by pregnancy test

Exclusion Criteria:

• Past or present disease occurred since participation in "11-03 Ribolution", which as judged by the investigator, may affect the outcome of the study.
• Serious, uncontrolled disease (including serious psychological disorders) likely to interfere with the study or impact on subject safety
• Has experienced a significant upper or lower respiratory tract infection incl. moderate or severe exacerbation (requiring oral corticosteroid, antibiotics or hospitalisation) within the last 4 weeks. All courses of oral corticosteroids and antibiotics must be completed at least 4 weeks before study start
• Clinically significant pathological findings in safety laboratory tests having an impact on study participation.
• Actual drug or alcohol abuse.
• Suspected inability to understand and follow protocol requirements, instructions, study-related restrictions, and to understand nature, scope, and possible consequences of the study.
• Being a vulnerable subject (dependent, in detention, or without mental capacity)