Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects millions of people in the world, constituting the sixth leading cause of death and the only condition in the top 10 causes of death with an increasing prevalence and mortality [1]. The economic burden of COPD is very high and further increases are foreseen. Acute exacerbations are one of the most important characteristics of COPD, because they worsen the patient's quality of life and health status [2]. When exacerbations recur frequently, they are associated with loss of pulmonary function [3]. The only interventions known to influence the natural history of COPD are smoking cessation and oxygen therapy, but efficacious treatments for COPD are not yet available.
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