The HERO-study: Effects of Roflumilast in Patients With COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) (BY217/M2-121)

Main Inclusion Criteria: Written informed consent Patients with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for at least 12 months as defined by the GOLD (Global Initiative on Obstructive Lung Diseases) criteria (2003) Age ≥ 40 years FEV1/FVC ratio (post-bronchodilator) ≤ 70% FEV1 (post-bronchodilator) ≤ 65% of predicted FRC (post-bronchodilator) ≤ 120% of predicted Clinically stable COPD within 4 weeks prior to baseline visit (B0). Availability of a chest x-ray dated a maximum of 6 months prior to study baseline visit (B0) or a willingness to have a chest x-ray performed at visit (B0). Main Exclusion Criteria: COPD exacerbation indicated by a treatment with systemic glucocorticosteroids not stopped at least 4 weeks prior to the baseline visit (B0) Non smoker, current smoker or ex-smoker (smoking cessation at least one year ago) with a smoking history of < 10 pack years Suffering from any concomitant disease that might interfere with study procedures or evaluation Lower respiratory tract infection not resolved 4 weeks prior to the baseline visit (B0) Diagnosis of asthma and/or other relevant lung disease (e.g. history of bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, bronchiolitis, lung resection, lung cancer, interstitial lung disease [e.g. fibrosis, silicosis, sarcoidosis], and active tuberculosis) Current participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program or completion of a pulmonary rehabilitation program within 2 months preceding the baseline visit (B0). Known alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency Need for long term oxygen therapy defined as ≥ 15 hours/day Clinically relevant abnormal laboratory values suggesting an unknown disease and requiring further clinical evaluation (as assessed by the investigator) Known infection with HIV, active hepatitis and/or liver insufficiency Diagnosis or history of cancer (other than basal cell carcinoma) or recurrence within 5 years prior to study start Clinically significant cardiopulmonary abnormalities (diagnosed clinically or by x-ray/ECG) that are not related to COPD and that require further evaluation Pregnancy, breast feeding, oocyte donation or oocyte implantation planned during the trial The female patient is of childbearing potential and is not using and is not willing to continue to use a medically reliable method of contraception for the entire study duration, such as oral, injectable, or implantable contraceptives, or intrauterine contraceptive devices, unless she is surgically sterilized/hysterectomized or post-menopausal > 1 year or any other criteria considered sufficiently reliable by the investigator in individual cases Participation in another study (use of investigational product) within 30 days preceding the baseline visit (B0) or re-entry of patients already enrolled in this trial Suspected inability or unwillingness to comply with study procedures Alcohol or drug abuse Inability to follow study procedures due to, for example, language problems or psychological disorders Use of prohibited drugs Suspected hypersensitivity to the study medication and/or contraindication to any ingredients of the study medication (roflumilast) or rescue medication