The Effect of Statins in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female patients aged 45-80 years; * Confirmed COPD: FEV1 30-80% predicted, FEV1/FVC\<0.7, salbutamol reversibility \<12%, supportive smoking history * If female of childbearing potential, have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and use a medically acceptable form of contraception starting at screening and continuing throughout the study (defined as an oral contraceptive, or barrier method combined with a spermicide) * Able to attend for regular clinic appointments * In opinion of investigator, the patient will be able to comply with the requirements of the protocol * Provide written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Known hypersensitivity to or side effects relating to previous statin treatment, or current therapy which includes a statin, ezetimibe or fibrate * Clinically significant liver function abnormality; alcohol excess * Hypercholesterolaemia \> or equal to 6.5mmol/L * Females who are pregnant, breast feeding, or at risk of pregnancy and not using a medically acceptable form of contraception. * Any condition judged by investigator that would cause the study to be detrimental to patient. * Conditions: rheumatoid disease/other collagen vascular disease requiring therapy; diabetes mellitus; untreated hypothyroidism; inflammatory bowel disease; other respiratory disease; known alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency; malignancy; documented history of ischaemic heart disease (IHD); cor pulmonale or known congestive heart failure; patients planning to undergo elective surgery during the study period. * Exacerbation in the last 4 weeks. * Significant hypoxia (PaO2 \<7.3kPa) * Known lactose intolerance. * Therapies: oral prednisolone for more than 1 week in the last 6 months; disease modifying drugs (Gold/ sulphasalazine etc); weight losing drugs; concomitant use of warfarin, cyclosporine; concomitant administration of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole, HIV protease inhibitors, erythromycin, clarithromycin, telithromycin and nefazodone). Use of any investigational drug within four weeks of the baseline visit.