Table 5 The inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria

- patients aged ≥40 years

- smokers or ex-smokers (of at least 10 pack-years)

- COPD diagnosed on the basis of spirometric tests (FEV1/FVC post-bronchodilation < 0.7 or FEV1/FVC pre-bronchodilation < 0.7 and FEV1 ≥ 80%, if there is no bronchodilation reversibility testing available

The exclusion criteria

- lack of follow-up for at least 1 year in a respiratory outpatient clinic

- participating in a clinical trial