Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: A 64-week Treatment, Multi-center, Randomized, Double-blind, Parallel-group, Active Controlled Study to Evaluate the Effect of QVA149 (110/50 μg o.d.) vs NVA237 (50 μg o.d.) and Open-label Tiotropium (18 μg o.d.) on COPD Exacerbations in Patients With Severe to Very Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Brief Summary: This study is designed to assess the effect of once-daily QVA149 on COPD exacerbations in patients with severe to very severe COPD.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Current or former cigarette smokers with a cigarette smoking history of at least 10 pack-years
* A diagnosis of stable moderate to severe COPD and stable airway obstruction as defined by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease guidelines and stable airway obstruction.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who have been hospitalized for an acute COPD exacerbation within three months prior to Visit 1
* Any respiratory tract infection (including the upper respiratory tract) or COPD exacerbation in the six weeks before Visit 1.
* Patients with any clinically significant respiratory conditions other than COPD
* Clinical history that suggests that the patient has asthma as opposed to COPD
* Chronic use of oxygen therapy ≥ 15 hours/day
* Patients with clinically significant cardiovascular conditions
* Patients with uncontrolled infection that may place the patient at risk resulting from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), active hepatitis and/or patients with diagnosed active tuberculosis
* Patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to inhaled anticholinergics,
* Patients with Stage II hypertension, defined as systolic pressure of 160 and above, and/or diastolic pressure of 100 and above
* Current diagnosis of cancer other than basal or squamous cell skin cancer
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Written informed consent must be obtained before any assessment is performed
* Male or female adults aged ≥40 years
* Patients with stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD) according to the current GOLD strategy (GOLD 2011)
* Current or ex-smokers who have a smoking history of at least 10 pack years. (Ten pack-years are defined as 20 cigarettes a day for 10 years, or 10 cigarettes a day for 20 years)
* Patients with a post-bronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) ≥25 and \< 60% of the predicted normal value, and post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) \< 0.70 at day -28. (Post refers to 1 hour after sequential inhalation of 84 µg (or equivalent dose) of ipratropium bromide and 400 µg of salbutamol)
* A documented history of at least 1 COPD exacerbation in the previous 12 months that required treatment with systemic glucocorticosteroids and/or antibiotics
* Patients taking stable COPD medication (at least 60 days) prior to day 28
* Patients with an mMRC grade of at least 2 at day 28

Exclusion Criteria:

* 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 (human Chorionic Gonadotropin) 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. Women are considered post-menopausal and not of child bearing potential if they have had 12 months of natural (spontaneous) amenorrhea with an appropriate clinical profile (e.g. age appropriate, history of vasomotor symptoms) or have had surgical bilateral oophorectomy (with or without hysterectomy) or tubal ligation at least six weeks ago. In the case of oophorectomy alone, only when the reproductive status of the woman has been confirmed by follow up hormone level assessment is she considered not of child bearing potential
* Patients with Type I or uncontrolled Type II diabetes
* Patients with a history of long QT syndrome or whose QTc measured at day 28 (Fridericia method) is prolonged (\>450 ms for males and females) and confirmed by a central assessor. These patients should not be re-screened
* Patients who have a clinically significant ECG abnormality prior to randomization. (These patients should not be re-screened)
* Patients who have a clinically significant laboratory abnormality at screening
* Patients who have clinically significant renal, cardiovascular (such as but not limited to unstable ischemic heart disease, NYHA Class III/IV left ventricular failure, myocardial infarction), arrhythmia (see below for patients with atrial fibrillation), neurological, endocrine, immunological, psychiatric, gastrointestinal, hepatic, or hematological abnormalities which could interfere with the assessment of the efficacy and safety of the study treatment
* Patients with paroxysmal (e.g. intermittent) atrial fibrillation are excluded
* Patients with persistent atrial fibrillation as defined by continuous atrial fibrillation for at least 6 months and controlled with a rate control strategy (i.e., selective beta blocker, calcium channel blocker, pacemaker placement, digoxin or ablation therapy) for at least 6 months may be considered for inclusion. In such patients, atrial fibrillation must be present at both pre-randomization visits, with a resting ventricular rate \< 100/min. At screening the atrial fibrillation must be confirmed by central reading
* Patients contraindicated for treatment with, or having a history of reactions/ hypersensitivity to any of the following inhaled drugs, drugs of a similar class or any component thereof: anticholinergic agents, long and short acting beta-2 agonists, sympathomimetic amines, lactose or any of the other excipients of trial medication
* Patients with a history of malignancy of any organ system, treated or untreated, within the past 5 years whether or not there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases, with the exception of localized basal cell carcinoma of the skin
* Patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia or bladder-neck obstruction or moderate to severe renal impairment or urinary retention. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) patients who are stable on treatment can be considered
* Patients who have not achieved an acceptable spirometry results at screening in accordance with American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) criteria for acceptability (one retest may be performed for patients that don't meet the acceptability criteria)
* Patients who have had a COPD exacerbation that required treatment with antibiotics and/or systemic corticosteroids and/or hospitalization in the 6 weeks prior to screening
* Patients who develop a COPD exacerbation of any severity (mild/moderate/severe) between screening and treatment 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 who have had a respiratory tract infection within 4 weeks prior to screening
* Patients who develop a respiratory tract infection between screening and prior to treatment will not be eligible, but will be permitted to be re-screened 4 weeks after the resolution of the respiratory tract infection
* Patients requiring long term oxygen therapy prescribed for \>12 hours per day
* Patients with any history of asthma
* Patients with an onset of respiratory symptoms, including a COPD diagnosis prior to age 40 years
* Patients with a blood eosinophil count \> 600/mm3 at screening
* Patients with allergic rhinitis who use a H1 antagonist or intra-nasal corticosteroids intermittently (treatment with a stable dose or regimen is permitted)
* Patients with concomitant pulmonary disease (e.g. lung fibrosis, sarcoidosis, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension)
* Patients with clinically significant bronchiectasis
* Patients with a diagnosis of α-1 anti-trypsin deficiency
* Patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, unless confirmed by imaging to be no longer active
* Patients with pulmonary lobectomy or lung volume reduction surgery or lung transplantation
* Patients participating in or planning to participate in the active phase of a supervised pulmonary rehabilitation program during the study. (Maintenance program is permitted.)
* Patients receiving any medications in the classes listed in the protocol
* Patients receiving any COPD related medications in the classes specified in the protocol must undergo the required washout period prior to screening and follow the adjustment to treatment program
* Use of other investigational drugs/devices (approved or unapproved) at the time of enrollment, or within 30 days or 5 half-lives of screening, whichever is longer
* Patients unable to use an electronic patient diary and EXACT pro diary
* Patients unable to use a dry powder inhaler device, Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) or a pressurized MDI (rescue medication) or comply with the study regimen.
C: Inclusion Criteria :

1. Male or female adults aged ≥40 years, who had signed an informed consent form prior to initiation of any study-related procedure.
2. Patients with severe to very severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD (Stage III or IV) according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Guidelines 2008.
3. Current or ex-smokers with a smoking history of at least 10 pack years (Ten pack-years were defined as 20 cigarettes a day for 10 years, or 10 cigarettes a day for 20 years).
4. Patients with a post-bronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in one second ( FEV1) \<50% of the predicted normal value, and post-bronchodilator FEV1/ Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) \<0.70 at Visit 2 (day -14). (Post refers to 1 h after sequential inhalation of 84 µg (or equivalent dose) of ipratropium bromide and 400 µg of salbutamol).
5. A documented history of at least 1 COPD exacerbation in the previous 12 months that required treatment with systemic glucocorticosteroids and/or antibiotics.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Pregnant women or nursing mothers (pregnancy confirmed by positive urine pregnancy test).
2. Women of child-bearing potential
3. Patients requiring long term oxygen therapy (\> 15 h a day) on a daily basis for chronic hypoxemia.
4. Patients who had a COPD exacerbation that required treatment with antibiotics, systemic steroids (oral or intravenous) or hospitalization in the 6 weeks prior to visit 1 or between visit 1 (Day -21) and Visit 3 (Day 1).
5. Patients who developed a COPD exacerbation during a period between visit 1 and 3 were ineligible but were permitted to be re-screened after a minimum of 6 weeks after the resolution of the COPD exacerbation.
6. Patients who had a respiratory tract infection within 4 weeks prior to visit 1 (Day -21)

   • Patients who developed an upper or lower respiratory tract infection during the screening period (up to visit 3 (Day 1) were not eligible, but were permitted to be re-screened 4 weeks after the resolution of the respiratory tract infection
7. Patients with concomitant pulmonary disease, e.g. pulmonary tuberculosis (unless confirmed by chest x-ray to be no longer active), clinically significant bronchiectasis, sarcoidosis, interstitial lung disorder or pulmonary hypertension.
8. Patients with lung lobectomy, or lung volume reduction or lung transplantation.
9. 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, history of myocardial infarction, arrhythmia (excluding chronic stable Atrial Fibrillation (AF). Patients with such events not considered clinically significant by the investigator may be considered for inclusion in the study
   * history of malignancy of any organ system (including lung cancer), treated or untreated, within the past 5 years whether or not there is evidence of local recurrence or metastases, with the exception of localized basal cell carcinoma of the skin
   * uncontrolled hypo- or hyperthyroidism, hypokalemia or hyper adrenergic state
   * narrow-angle glaucoma
   * Symptomatic prostatic hyperplasia or bladder-neck obstruction or moderate to severe renal impairment or urinary retention. (Patients with a Transurethral Resection of Prostate (TURP) were excluded from the study. Patients who underwent full re-section of the prostate could be considered for the study, as well as patients who were asymptomatic and stable on pharmacological treatment for the condition).
   * any condition which might have compromised patient safety or compliance, interfered with evaluation, or precluded completion of the study
10. Patients with any history of asthma indicated by (but not limited to) a blood eosinophil count \> 600/mm3 (at visit 2), or onset of symptoms prior to 40 years. Patients without asthma were excluded if their eosinophil count was \>600/mm3 at visit 2.
11. Patients with allergic rhinitis who used H1 antagonists or intranasal corticosteroids intermittently (treatment with a constant dose was permitted).
12. Patients with eczema (atopic), known high immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels or a known positive skin prick test in the last 5 years.
13. Patients with known history and diagnosis of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
14. Patients who were participating in the active phase of a supervised pulmonary rehabilitation program.
15. Patients with Type I or uncontrolled Type II diabetes.
16. Patients contraindicated for treatment with, or having a history of reactions/ hypersensitivity to any of the following inhaled drugs or drugs of a similar class or any component thereof:

    * anticholinergic agents
    * long and short acting beta-2 agonists
    * sympathomimetic amines.
17. Patients with a history of long QT syndrome or whose corrected QT interval (QTc) measured at visit 2 (Day -14) (Fridericia method) was prolonged (\>450 ms for males and females) as confirmed by the central ECG assessor.
18. Patients with a clinically significant abnormality on the screening or baseline ECG who in the judgment of the investigator would be at potential risk if enrolled into the study. (These patients could not be re-screened).
19. Patients who needed treatments for COPD and allied conditions after the start of the study (visit 1)
20. Patients who needed treatments for COPD and allied conditions (e.g. allergic rhinitis) unless they had been stabilized
21. Patients taking other prohibited medications
22. Patients unable to use a dry powder inhaler (e.g. single dose dry powder inhaler (SDDPI), HandiHaler® device, or pressurized Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI) (rescue medication).
23. Patients unable to use an electronic patient diary.
24. Patients who were, in the opinion of the investigator known to be unreliable or non-compliant.
25. Patients who used other investigational drugs at the time of enrollment, or within 30 days or 5 half-lives of visit 1 (day -21), whichever was longer.
26. Patients who had live attenuated vaccination within 30 days prior to the screening visit or during the run-in period. Inactivated influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination or any other inactivated vaccine was acceptable provided it was not administered within 48 hours prior to screening and randomization visits.

No additional exclusions were applied by the investigator, in order to ensure that the study population was representative of all eligible patients.
D: Inclusion criteria:

1. All patients must sign an informed consent consistent with International Conference on Harmonization-Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) guidelines prior to participation in the trial, which includes medication washout and restrictions.
2. All patients must have a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and must meet the following spirometric criteria: Patients must have a relatively stable airway obstruction with a post-bronchodilator FEV1 ≥ 30 % and \< 80% of predicted normal and a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC \<70% at Visit 1.
3. Male or female patients, 40 years of age or older.
4. Patients must be current or ex-smokers with a smoking history of more than 10 pack years
5. Patients must be able to: perform technically acceptable pulmonary function tests, and maintain records(paper diary).
6. Patients must be able to inhale medication in a competent manner from the Respimat Inhaler as well as the Handihaler.

Exclusion criteria:

1. Patients with a significant disease other than COPD; a significant disease is defined as a disease which, in the opinion of the investigator, may (i) put the patient at risk because of participation in the study, (ii) influence the results of the study, or (iii) cause concern regarding the patients ability to participate in the study.
2. Patients with clinically relevant abnormal baseline haematology, blood chemistry, or urinalysis; all patients with an AST \>x2 ULN, ALT \>x2 ULN, bilirubin \>x2 ULN or creatinine \>x2 ULN will be excluded regardless of clinical condition (a repeat laboratory evaluation will not be conducted in these patients).
3. Patients with a history of asthma. For patients with allergic rhinitis or atopy, source documentation is required to verify that the patient does not have asthma. If a patient has a total blood eosinophil count ≥600/mm3, source documentation is required to verify that the increased eosinophil count is related to a non-asthmatic condition.
4. A diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis (due to the known class side effect profile of ß2-agonists).
5. A diagnosis of paroxysmal tachycardia (\>100 beats per minute) (due to the known class side effect profile of ß2-agonists).
6. A history of myocardial infarction within 1 year of screening visit (Visit 1).
7. Unstable or life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia.
8. Hospitalization for heart failure within the past year.
9. Known active tuberculosis.
10. A malignancy for which patient has undergone resection, radiation therapy or chemotherapy within last five years (patients with treated basal cell carcinoma are allowed).
11. A history of life-threatening pulmonary obstruction.
12. A history of cystic fibrosis.
13. Clinically evident bronchiectasis.
14. A history of significant alcohol or drug abuse.
15. Patients who have undergone thoracotomy with pulmonary resection (patients with a history of thoracotomy for other reasons should be evaluated as per exclusion criterion No. 1).
16. Patients being treated with oral or patch ß-adrenergics.
17. Patients being treated with oral corticosteroid medication at unstable doses (i.e., less than six weeks on a stable dose) or at doses in excess of the equivalent of 10 mg of prednisone per day or 20 mg every other day.
18. Patients who regularly use daytime oxygen therapy for more than one hour per day and in the investigators opinion will be unable to abstain from the use of oxygen therapy during clinic visits.
19. Patients who have completed a pulmonary rehabilitation program in the six weeks prior to the screening visit (Visit 1) or patients who are currently in a pulmonary rehabilitation program.
20. Patients who have taken an investigational drug within one month or six half lives (whichever is greater) prior to screening visit (Visit 1).
21. Patients with known hypersensitivity to ß-adrenergic drugs, BAC, EDTA, or any other component of the Respimat® inhalation solution.
22. Patients with known hypersensitivity to anticholinergic drugs, lactose, or any other components of the HandiHaler®.
23. Pregnant or nursing women.
24. Women of childbearing potential not using a highly effective method of birth control\*. Female patients will be considered to be of childbearing potential unless surgically sterilised by hysterectomy or bilateral tubal ligation, or post-menopausal for at least two years.

    \* as per ICH M3(R2) a highly effective method of birth control is defined as those which result in a low failure rate (i.e. less than 1% per year).
25. Patients who have previously been randomised in this study or are currently participating in another study.
26. Patients who are unable to comply with pulmonary medication restrictions prior to randomisation.

Answer: C