SPIRIVA in Ususal Care

Inclusion Criteria: Prior to participation in the study all patients must sign and date an informed consent consistent with ICH-GCP guidelines. Male or female patients 40 years of age or older. Patients with a diagnosis of COPD according to BTS criteria..A stable disease state with airway obstruction of FEV1 between 30- 65% of predicted normal value and FEV1 /FVC<70% pre bronchodilators. Predicted normal values will be calculated according to ECCS: For height measured in metres Males: FEV1 predicted (L) = 4.30 X (Ht in mts) - 0.029 X (Age in yrs) - 2.49 Females:FEV1 predicted (L) = 3.95 X (Ht in mts) - 0.025 X (Age in yrs) - 2.60 For height measured in inches Males: FEV1 predicted (L) = 4.30 X (Ht in inches/39.37) - 0.029 X (Age in yrs) - 2.49 Females:FEV1 predicted (L) = 3.95 X (Ht in inches/39.37) - 0.025 X (Age in yrs) - 2.60 Maintained on a stable respiratory medication for 4 weeks prior to visit 1 (no changes in respiratory medication oral dosage). Currently taking salbutamol or terbutaline MDI or DPI. Patient must be able to inhale medication through the HandiHaler? Patients must be able to perform technically acceptable pulmonary function tests in accordance with ATS criteria and must be able to maintain records (Patient Daily Record) during the study period as required in the protocol. Patients must be current or ex-smokers with a smoking history of more than 10 pack years. Pack Years = Number of cigarettes/day 20 (Patients who have never smoked cigarettes must be excluded.) NOTE: An exacerbation of COPD requiring treatment occurring within the four week period prior to screening visit 1 will mean that screening should be postponed for at least four weeks. Therefore, the patient should have duration of at least 4 weeks free of exacerbations. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with significant diseases, other than COPD will be excluded. A significant disease is defined as a disease which in the opinion of the investigator may either put the patient at risk because of participation in the study or a disease which may influence the results of the study or the patient's ability to participate in the study. Patients who have taken inhaled anticholinergics in the previous 12 months. Patients that have been treated with inhaled anticholinergics (via nebuliser or metered dose inhaler) due to an exacerbation for a time period no longer than 7 days may be included. Patients with an upper respiratory tract infection or exacerbation of COPD requiring treatment in the four weeks prior to the screening visit (visit 1) or during the two-week run-in period. Patients with a recent history (i.e., six months or less) of myocardial infarction. Any unstable or life threatening cardiac arrhythmia requiring intervention or a change in drug therapy within the last year. Patients with known active tuberculosis. Patients who have a history of thoracotomy with pulmonary resection or have planned lung transplantation or lung volume reduction surgery. Patients with a history of asthma, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, interstitial lung disease or pulmonary thromboembolic disease. Patients who are being treated with antihistamines (H1 receptor antagonists) for asthma or excluded allergic conditions. Patients with a history of cancer in the last five years; Basal cell tumours or patients whose length of time in remission is greater than five years can be included. Patient with known hypersensitivity to atropine, and other anticholinergic drugs or lactose or any previous adverse reaction to anticholinergic drugs that resulted in withdrawal of the anticholinergic compound. Patients using oral corticosteroid medication at unstable doses (i.e. Patients have been on a stable dose for less than 6 weeks prior to randomisation) or at doses in excess of the equivalent of 10mg o