Patient demographic and baseline characteristics (at enrolment, unless otherwise stated)
| B/F | B | F | Placebo | |
| Patients randomised n | 254 | 257 | 255 | 256 |
| Male % | 78 | 74 | 75 | 75 |
| Age yrs | 64 (42–86) | 64 (41–85) | 63 (41–84) | 65 (43–85) |
| Current smokers % | 33 | 39 | 36 | 30 |
| Pack‐yrs | 39 (10–240) | 39 (10–150) | 38 (10–120) | 39 (10–150) |
| Previous medication % of patients | ||||
| ICS | 47 | 51 | 48 | 46 |
| Inhaled SABAs | 52 | 49 | 53 | 48 |
| Anticholinergics | 29 | 30 | 30 | 32 |
| Inhaled LABAs | 31 | 30 | 30 | 25 |
| Xanthines | 37 | 33 | 40 | 36 |
| Inhaled combination of β2‐agonist and anticholinergic | 16 | 18 | 18 | 22 |
| FEV1 L | 0.98±0.33 | 0.99±0.33 | 1.00±0.32 | 0.98±0.33 |
| FEV1 % predicted | 36±10 | 36±10 | 36±10 | 36±10 |
| FEV1/VC % | 42±12 | 44±12 | 44±12 | 44±11 |
| Reversibility % predicted | 6±7 | 6±7 | 6±6 | 6±6 |
| Baseline SGRQ Total score at randomisation | 48±19 | 49±18 | 47±19 | 48±18 |
Data are presented as mean (range) or mean±sd unless otherwise stated
B: budesonide
F: formoterol
ICS: inhaled corticosteroid
SABA: short-acting β2‐agonist
LABA: long-acting β2‐agonist
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second
VC: vital capacity
SGRQ: St George's Respiratory Questionnaire