Predictive value of combining inflammatory biomarkers and rapid decline of FEV1 for COPD in Chinese population: A prospective cohort study

This paper described the design of a multicenter, prospective cohort study that will evaluate the predictive value of combining inflammatory biomarkers and a rapid decline in FEV1 for early detection of COPD in the Chinese Population; the study will include ~100,000 adults aged 40–75 years without evidence of lung disease who will be followed-up for 3 years. The primary endpoint will be the incidence of COPD; secondary endpoints will include rate of decline in FEV1 and patient profiles at baseline (ie IL-6, hs-CRP, microRNA-23a, pH of EBC, and ambient air pollution level). Patients will undergo lung function testing in the first, second, and fourth years of the study, using the Vitalograph COPD-6 device.