Bufei Jianpi Granule for Delaying Pulmonary Function Decline in Early-Stage COPD

COPD is a highly prevalent disease, with a prevalence among people 40 years of age or older of 10.1% worldwide and 13.7% in China. COPD has become the third leading cause of death worldwide. More than 70% of patients with COPD are in GOLD stage 1 (mild) or 2 (moderate), with very mild or no apparent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea. The Tiotropium in Early Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients in China (Tie-COPD) trial was designed to investigate the effect of tiotropium on the FEV1 in COPD patients with GOLD stage 1 or 2. The investigator's previous studies also suggested that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has effect on GOLD stage 1 or 2 COPD. This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial to evaluate the effect of Bufei Jianpi granule for delaying pulmonary function decline in early-stage (GOLD stage 1 or 2) COPD subjects. After a 14-day run-in period, 612 subjects will be randomly assigned to treatment group or control group for 104-week treatment. The primary outcomes include pulmonary function and frequency of acute exacerbation. The secondary outcomes include clinical symptoms, dyspnea, exercise capacity, quality of life and treatment satisfaction. Safety will also be assessed.