Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Effect of Inhalation of a Free Combination of Tiotropium Once Daily 18 Mcg and Salmeterol Twice Daily 50 Mcg Versus a Fixed Combination of Fluticasone and Salmeterol Twice Daily (500/50 Mcg) on Static Lung Volumes and Exercise Tolerance in COPD Patients (a Randomised, Double-blind, Double Dummy, 16 (2 x 8) Weeks, Crossover Study).
Brief Summary: The primary objective of this study is to demonstrate that treatment with a free combination of tiotropium and salmeterol provides superior improvement in static lung volumes and exercise tolerance compared to a fixed combination of fluticasone and salmeterol in patients with COPD.

The secondary objective includes assessment of safety.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Type of subject: Outpatient
* Informed Consent: A signed and dated written informed consent prior to study participation.
* Age: Subjects 40 years of age or older at Visit 1.
* Gender: Male or female subjects. A female is eligible to enter and participate in the study if she is of: Non-child bearing potential (i.e. physiologically incapable of becoming pregnant, including any female who is post-menopausal or surgically sterile). Or if of child bearing potential, has a negative pregnancy test at screening, and agrees to one of the acceptable contraceptive methods mentioned in the protocol used consistently and correctly:
* Diagnosis: An established clinical history of COPD in accordance with the definition by the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society as follows: COPD is a preventable and treatable disease state characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive and is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases, primarily caused by cigarette smoking. Although COPD affects the lungs, it also produces significant systemic consequences.
* Smoking history: Current or former cigarette smokers with a history of cigarette smoking of \>=10 pack-years \[number of pack years = (number of cigarettes per day/20) x number of years smoked (e.g., 20 cigarettes per day for 10 years, or 10 cigarettes per day for 20 years)\]. Previous smokers are defined as those who have stopped smoking for at least 6 months prior to Visit 1. Pipe and/or cigar use cannot be used to calculate pack year history.
* Severity of disease: A pre and post-salbutamol FEV1/FVC ratio of \<0.70 and a post-salbutamol FEV1 of \>=30% and \<=70% of predicted normal values calculated using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III reference equations at Visit 1.
* Dyspnea: A score of \>=2 on the Modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) at Visit 1.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy: Women who are pregnant or lactating or are planning on becoming pregnant during the study.
* Asthma: A current diagnosis of asthma.
* Other Respiratory Disorders: Known alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, active lung infections (such as tuberculosis), and lung cancer are absolute exclusionary conditions. A subject, who, in the opinion of the investigator, has any other significant respiratory condition in addition to COPD should be excluded. Examples may include clinically significant bronchiectasis, pulmonary hypertension, sarcoidosis, or interstitial lung disease. Inactive tuberculosis in more than one lobe is exclusionary. Allergic rhinitis is not exclusionary.
* Other Diseases/Abnormalities: Subjects with historical or current evidence of clinically significant cardiovascular, neurological, psychiatric, renal, hepatic, immunological, endocrine (including uncontrolled diabetes or thyroid disease) or hematological abnormalities that are uncontrolled and/or a previous history of cancer in remission for \<5 years prior to Visit 1 (localized carcinoma of the skin that has been resected for cure is not exclusionary). Significant is defined as any disease that, in the opinion of the investigator, would put the safety of the subject at risk through participation, or which would affect the efficacy or safety analysis if the disease/condition exacerbated during the study.
* Contraindications: A history of allergy or hypersensitivity to any anticholinergic/muscarinic receptor antagonist, beta2-agonist, corticosteroid, lactose/milk protein or magnesium stearate or a medical condition such as narrow-angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy or bladder neck obstruction that, in the opinion of the study physician contraindicates study participation or use of an inhaled anticholinergic.
* Hospitalization: Hospitalization for pneumonia within 12 weeks prior to Visit 1.
* History of COPD Exacerbation: A documented history of at least one COPD exacerbation in the 12 months prior to Visit 1 that required either oral corticosteroids, antibiotics, and/or hospitalization. Prior use of antibiotics alone does not qualify as an exacerbation history unless the use was associated with treatment of worsening symptoms of COPD, such as increased dyspnea, sputum volume, or sputum purulence.
* Lung Resection: Subjects with lung volume reduction surgery within the 12 months prior to Screening (Visit 1).
* 12-Lead electrocardiogram (ECG): An abnormal and significant ECG finding from the 12-lead ECG conducted at Visit 1. Investigators will be provided with ECG reviews conducted by a centralized independent cardiologist to assist in evaluation of subject eligibility.
* Medication Prior to Spirometry: Unable to withhold salbutamol for the 4 hour period required prior to spirometry testing at each study visit.
* Medications Prior to Screening: Use of the following medications according to the following defined time intervals prior to Visit 1: Depot corticosteroids - 12 weeks, Systemic, oral or parenteral corticosteroids - 6 weeks, Antibiotics (for lower respiratory tract infection) - 6 weeks, Cytochrome P450 3A4 strong inhibitors - 6 weeks, Herbal medications potentially containing oral or systemic steroids - 6 weeks, Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) - 30 days, Long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA)/ICS combination products - 30 days, Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors (e.g., roflumilast) - 14 days, Inhaled long-acting anticholinergics - 7 days, Olodaterol and Indacaterol - 10days, Theophyllines - 48 hours, Oral leukotriene inhibitors (zafirlukast, montelukast, zileuton) - 48 hours, Oral beta2-agonists Long-acting-48 hours/Short-acting - 12 hours, Inhaled long acting beta2-agonists (LABA, e.g., salmeterol, formoterol, indacaterol) - 48 hours, Inhaled sodium cromoglycate or nedocromil sodium - 24 hours, Inhaled short acting beta2-agonists - 4 hours, Inhaled short-acting anticholinergics - 4 hours, Inhaled short-acting anticholinergic/short-acting beta2-agonist combination products - 4 hours, Any other investigational medication - 30 days or within 5 drug half-lives (whichever is longer).
* Oxygen: Use of long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) described as oxygen therapy prescribed for greater than 12 hours a day. As-needed oxygen use (i.e., \<=12 hours per day) is not ex-clusionary.
* Nebulized Therapy: Regular use (prescribed for use every day, not for as-needed use) of short-acting bronchodilators (e.g., salbutamol) via nebulized therapy.
* Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program: Participation in the acute phase of a pulmonary rehabilitation program within 4 weeks prior to Visit 1. Subjects who are in the maintenance phase of a pulmonary rehabilitation program are not excluded.
* Drug or Alcohol Abuse: A known or suspected history of alcohol or drug abuse within 2 years prior to Visit 1.
* Affiliation with Investigator Site: A subject will not be eligible for this study if he/she is an immediate family member of the participating investigator, sub-investigator, study coordinator, or employee of the participating investigator.
* Inability to read: A subject will not be eligible for the study if in the opinion of the investigator the subject cannot read.
B: Inclusion :

1. Male and female ≥ 40 years
2. Severe or very severe COPD diagnosed for at least 12 months
3. Current smokers or ex-smokers who quit smoking at least 6 months prior to screening visit, with a smoking history of at least 10 pack years
4. Post-bronchodilator FEV1 \< 50% of the predicted normal value and a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio \< 0.7
5. Documented history of at least one exacerbation in the 12 months
6. Patient under double therapy for at least 2 months prior to screening. Double therapy will be defined by treatment with any of the following:

   Orally inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and (long-acting beta2-agonist) LABA ICS and long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) Orally LABA and LAMA Monotherapy with LAMA for at least 2 months prior to screening
7. Symptomatic patient at screening with a CAT score ≥ 10.
8. Cooperative attitude and ability to use correctly the inhalers, the spacer AeroChamber Plus (only to patients who are using a spacer), the electronic devices with COPD questionnaire.

Exclusion :

1. Pregnant or lactating women and all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant UNLESS are willing to use one or more of the reliable methods of contraception
2. Patient with a current clinical diagnosis of asthma with a physician-judged need for inhaled or oral corticosteroid therapy
3. Patient requiring use of the following medications:

   Course of systemic steroids \> 3 days for COPD exacerbation in the 4 weeks prior to screening Course of antibiotics for COPD exacerbation \> 7 days in the 4 weeks prior to screening Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor in the 4 weeks prior to screening Use of antibiotics for a lower respiratory tract infection in the 4 weeks prior to screening
4. COPD exacerbation requiring prescription of systemic corticosteroids and/or antibiotics or hospitalization during the run-in period
5. Patient treated with non-cardioselective β-blockers in the month preceding the screening or during the run-in period.
6. Patient treated with long-acting antihistamines unless taken at stable regimen at least 2 months prior to screening and to be maintained constant during the study or if taken as needed
7. Patient requiring long term (at least 12 hours daily) oxygen therapy for chronic hypoxemia
8. Known respiratory disorders other than COPD which may impact the efficacy of the study drug
9. Patient who have clinically significant cardiovascular condition
10. Patient with atrial fibrillation (AF): Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, Persistent, Long standing or Permanent
11. Abnormal and clinically significant 12-lead ECG that results in active medical problem which may impact the safety of the patient
12. Patient whose ECG shows QTcF \>450 ms for males or QTcF \>470 ms for females at screening visit are not eligible (not applicable for patient with pacemaker)
13. Medical diagnosis of narrow-angle glaucoma, clinically relevant prostatic hypertrophy or bladder neck obstruction would prevent use of anticholinergic agents
14. History of hypersensitivity to M3 Antagonists, β2-agonist, corticosteroids or any of the excipients contained in any of the formulations used in the trial which may raise contra-indications or impact the efficacy of the study drug
15. Clinically significant laboratory abnormalities indicating a significant or unstable concomitant disease which may impact the efficacy or the safety of the study drug
16. Patients with hypokalaemia (serum potassium \<3.5 mEq/L or 3.5 mmol/L) or uncontrolled hyperkalaemia
17. Unstable concurrent disease which may impact the results of the study
18. Patients with any history of malignancy likely to result in significant disability or likely to require significant medical or surgical intervention within the next six months (after V1) or with malignancy for which they are currently undergoing radiation therapy or chemotherapy
19. History of alcohol abuse or substance/drug abuse within 12 months prior to screening visit
20. Participation in another clinical trial if investigational drug was received less than 8 weeks prior to screening visit
C: Inclusion Criteria:

1. The patient has signed an Informed Consent Form in accordance with GCP and local legislative requirements prior to participation in the trial, i.e., prior to pre-trial washout of any restricted medications.
2. The patient has a clinical diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
3. The patient has relatively stable, moderate to severe airway obstruction.
4. The patient has a pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) less than or equal to 65% of predicted normal determined at Visit 1 using the following predicted equations (R94-1408):

   1. Males Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) predicted \[Litres (L)\] = 4.30 x Height \[metres\] minus 0.029 x Age \[years\] minus 2.49
   2. Females Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) predicted \[Litres (L)\] = 3.95 x Height \[metres\] minus 0.025 x Age \[years\] minus 2.60 and a Thoracic Gas Volume (Functional residual volume) ((TGV)(FRC)) bigger than 120% predicted normal at visit 1 (or historical data not older than 6 month)
   3. Males Thoracic Gas Volume (Functional residual volume) ((TGV(FRC)) pred. \[Litres (L)\] = 2.34 x Height \[metres\] + 0.009 x Age \[years\] minus 1.09
   4. Females Thoracic Gas Volume (Functional residual volume) ((TGV(FRC)) pred. \[Litres (L)\] = 2.24 x Height \[metres\] + 0.001 x Age \[years\] minus 1.00
5. The patient is at least 40 years and less than or equal to 75 years old.
6. The patient has a cigarette smoking history of at least 10 pack-years. A pack-year is defined as the equivalent of smoking one pack of cigarettes per day for a year.
7. The patient is able to perform all specified procedures and able to maintain all necessary records during the study period as required in the protocol.
8. The patient is able to inhale the trial medication from the HandiHaler device.
9. The patient is able to inhale the trial medication from the Diskus/Accuhaler device.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. a significant disease other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (review contraindications for exercise testing),
2. a recent history of myocardial infarction within one year.
3. a recent history of heart failure, pulmonary oedema, or patients with cardiac arrhythmia or any contraindication to exercise described in the CTProtocol within the last 3.
4. daytime supplemental oxygen.
5. a diagnosis of known active tuberculosis.
6. a history of cancer within the last 5 years.
7. a history of life-threatening pulmonary obstruction, or a history of cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis.
8. thoracotomy with pulmonary resection.
9. an upper respiratory tract infection or an exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
10. a known hypersensitivity to anticholinergic drug, ß-adrenergic or corticosteroids, lactose or any other component of the inhalation capsule delivery system.
11. a known symptomatic prostatic hypertrophy or bladder neck obstruction.
12. a known moderate or severe renal insufficiency.
13. a known narrow-angle glaucoma.
14. a known untreated hypokalemia.
15. a known untreated thyrotoxicosis.
16. a history of asthma, allergic rhinitis or atopy, or a total blood eosinophil count larger than 600/mm3.
17. treatment with cromolyn sodium or nedocromil sodium
18. treatment with antihistamines or antileukotrienes.
19. treatment with tiotropium for 1 month before Visit 1.
20. treatment with oral corticosteroid medication.
21. Pregnant or nursing women or women of childbearing potential not using a medically approved means of contraception
22. a history of or active alcohol or drug abuse.
23. an investigational drug within 1 month or 10 half lives
24. a limitation of exercise performance as a result of factors other than fatigue or exertional dyspnoea.
25. participation in a rehabilitation program for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
26. treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants.
27. participation in another study.
28. more than eight puffs of salbutamol/day during the run-in period
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Male and female adults aged ≥ 40 years
* Patients with moderate COPD according to the GOLD criteria 2013
* Current or ex-smokers who have a smoking history of at least 10 pack years
* Patients with airflow limitation indicated by a postbronchodilator FEV1 ≥50% and \<80% of the predicted normal value and a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC \<0.7 at Visit 2. Post- bronchodilator refers to within 10-15 min of inhalation of 400 μg (4x100 μg) of salbutamol
* Patients who, at Visit 1, have been for at least 3 months on a stable dose of one of the following COPD baseline treatments: \*Any SABA monotherapy (such as, but not limited to, salbutamol) \*Any SAMA monotherapy (such as, but not limited to, ipratropium) \*Any SABA and SAMA in free or FDC (such as, but not limited to, salbutamol/ipratropium) \*Any LABA monotherapy (such as, but not limited to, formoterol, salmeterol, indacaterol) \*Any LAMA monotherapy (such as, but not limited to, tiotropium, aclidinium) except glycopyrronium bromide (NVA237) \*Any LABA and ICS in free (ICS such as, but not limited to, beclomethasone, fluticasone) or FDC (such as, but not limited to, salmeterol/fluticasone, formoterol/budesonide).
* Patients with an mMRC score ≥1 at Visit 1.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with conditions contraindicated for treatment with, or having a history of reactions/ hypersensitivity to any of the following inhaled drugs or to drugs of similar chemical classes or any component thereof: Anti-cholinergic agents, Long- and short-acting 2-adrenergic agonists, Sympathomimetic amines, Lactose or any of the other excipients of the trial medication.
* Patients with narrow-angle glaucoma or urinary retention, severe renal impairment (history of estimated glomerular filtration rate below 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 within 12 months prior to visit 1), including those with end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis.
* Patients with active/ clinical history of asthma.If the Investigator finds clear and compelling evidence that a patient was misdiagnosed with asthma in the past, then the burden of proof is on the Investigator to properly document this previous misdiagnosis. This documentation must include the rationale for this change in diagnosis including reference to the differential diagnosis that supports this decision.
* Patients with a history of malignancy of any organ system (other than localized basal cell carcinoma of the skin), treated or untreated, within the past 5 years, regardless of whether there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases.
* Patients who have a post-bronchodilator FEV1 decrease more than 10% compared to pre-bronchodilator FEV1 result at Visit 2 (see Appendix 5 for details).
* A documented history of \>1 COPD exacerbation requiring treatment with systemic corticosteroids or antibiotics and/or hospitalization in the previous 12 months.
* Patients who have NOT had a COPD exacerbation in the previous 12 months and develop a COPD exacerbation between screening (Visit 1) and (Visit 2) will not be eligible but will be permitted to be re-screened after a minimum of 6 weeks after the resolution of the COPD exacerbation. (Patients suffering an exacerbation between Visit 1 and Visit 2 can only be re-screened in case it is the first one in the previous 12 months. In case this COPD exacerbation has led to an alteration of the patient COPD treatment, before this patient can be re-screened 3 months of stable COPD treatment will be required as described in Inclusion Criterion 6).
* Patients who, in the judgment of the investigator, have a clinically relevant laboratory abnormality or a clinically significant condition such as (but not limited to): \*Unstable ischemic heart disease, left ventricular failure (NYHA Class III \& IV), history of myocardial infarction,arrhythmia (excluding chronic stable atrial fibrillation). Patients with such events not considered clinically significant by the investigator may be considered for inclusion in the study.\*Uncontrolled hypo-or hyperthyroidism, hypokalaemia or hyperadrenergic state. \*Any condition which might compromise patient safety or compliance, interfere with evaluation, or preclude completion of the study
* History of resting QTc (Fridericia preferred, but Bazett acceptable) \>450 msec (male) or \>460 msec (female) within five years before Visit 1.
* Patients who are treated with glycopyrronium bromide (NVA237) at visit 1 are not allowed to be included into the trialPatients on non-selective beta-blockers. Those patients may enter the study after non-selective beta-blocker withdrawal during a 7-day wash-out period.
* Patients receiving any other prohibited COPD-related medications specified in Table 5-2 Prohibited COPD related medications must undergo the required wash-out period prior to Visit 2.
* Patients who are, in the opinion of the investigator known to be unreliable or non-compliant.
* Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40 kg/m2.
* Use of other investigational drugs within 5 half-lives of enrollment or within 30 days, whichever is longer.
* Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women, where pregnancy is defined as the state of a female after conception and until the termination of gestation, confirmed by a positive hCG laboratory test.
* Women of child-bearing potential, defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, unless they are using effective methods of contraception during dosing of study treatment.

Answer: C