Compare the Effect of a Remote Monitoring System Using the EXACT Tool to Reduce Hospitalizations Due to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbations. EXACT = Exacerbations of Chronic Pulmonary Disease Tool.

This study uses two parallel groups of approximately 100 patients in each arm. After a screening period to confirm eligibility, patients will be randomized to either the RPM system group, or the usual care group. Both groups will be followed for 52 weeks until the end of study. There are only 4 planned study visits and patients will continue on their usual treatment.

The remote patient monitoring system will issue an alert to the clinical site once the established threshold change has been reached. The alert notification will require the clinical site to contact the patient and treat the patient based on clinical judgment and clinical practice. Patients in the usual care arm will be managed through their normally nurse/physician contact.

Inclusion criteria

• Outpatients with a diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), GOLD grade 2 or higher as classified by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines, Updated 2011, including:
• Current or ex-smokers with a smoking history of at least 10 pack years nt
• Post-bronchodilator Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) < 80% of the predicted normal value within 12 months prior to screening or at screening
• Post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) < 70% within 12 months prior to screening or at screening
• A documented history of at least 2 COPD exacerbations requiring treatment with systemic corticosteroids and/or antibiotics in the previous 12 months prior to the screening visit, at least one of which required hospitalization.

Exclusion criteria

• Use of investigational drugs at the time of enrollment, or within 30 days or 5 half-lives of enrollment, whichever is longer.
• Patients who have a COPD exacerbation not clinically resolved within 30 days prior to screening.
• Patients with a history of asthma, indicated by (but not limited to) the onset of respiratory symptoms suggestive of asthma (such as cough, wheezing, shortness of breath) prior to age 40 years.