Efficacy of formoterol inhalation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: investigation of the effects on the central and peripheral airways starting from immediately after inhalation

INTERVENTION: 9 mcg of formoterol is inhaled once daily. 18 mcg of tiotropium is inhaled once daily. CONDITION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) PRIMARY OUTCOME: Area under the FEV1‐time curve from 0 (before drug inhalation) to 120 minutes after inhalation (AUC) SECONDARY OUTCOME: (1) Changes in spirometry parameters; (2) Changes in MostGraph parameters; (3) Respiratory function questionnaire; (4) Safety INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1) Smoking history 10 pack‐year or more 2) COPD stage II or III (according to the 4th edition of Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of COPD published by the Japanese Respiratory Society)