Effect of Roflumilast on Lung Function in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients Treated With Salmeterol: The EOS Study (BY217/M2-127)

Post-bronchodilator FEV1

Mean change from baseline during the treatment period in post-bronchodilator FEV1 \[L\]

Time frame: Change from baseline over 24 weeks of treatment

COPD Exacerbation Rate (Mild, Moderate or Severe)

Mean rate of COPD exacerbations requiring rescue medication of 3 or more puffs/day on at least 2 consecutive days (=mild COPD exacerbations), or requiring oral or parenteral glucocorticosteroids (=moderate COPD exacerbations), or requiring hospitalization, or leading to death (=severe COPD exacerbations), per patient per year. A COPD exacerbation is an event in the natural course of the disease characterized by a change in the patient's baseline dyspnea, cough and/or sputum beyond day-to-day variability sufficient to warrant a change in management \[ATS / ERS 2005\].

Time frame: 24 weeks treatment period

Transition Dyspnea Index (TDI) Focal Score

The TDI is a recognized questionnaire to measure dyspnea in an out patient COPD population. At baseline, 3 components of dyspnea, each graded with 4 questions, were asked: - Functional Impairment - Magnitude of Task - Magnitude of Effort At each of the post-randomization visits questions from the TDI were asked related to 3 components: Change in - Functional Impairment - Magnitude of Task - Magnitude of Effort Each question in the TDI is graded from -3 (major deterioration) to +3 (major improvement). This results in a TDI Focal Score ranging from -9 to +9.

Time frame: Change from baseline over 24 weeks of treatment

Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (SOBQ) Total Score