ABSTRACT
The results of clinical trials should translate in clinical practice. This is one of the
paradigms of evidence-based medicine (1). Assuming that the study design is likely to
lead to valid results, knowledge transfer from clinical trials to clinical practice requires
that (i) the study population bewell defined, (ii) the intervention describedwith sufficient
details to be replicated, and (iii) the outcomes be relevant to clinical practice. In this
regard, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease Workshop clearly
defined treatment objectives that include (i) prevention of disease progression, (ii) relief
of symptoms, (iii) improvement in exercise tolerance and health status, (iv) prevention
and treatment of complications and exacerbations, and, ultimately, (v) reduction in
mortality attributable to the disease (2).
