The CATALINA Study

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years and older * Established diagnosis of COPD by medical doctor (based on clinical history OR pulmonary function test with an FEV1/FVC \< 0.7) * Current hospitalization with suspicion of an acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) * Inclusion within 48 hours post hospital admission * Voluntary written informed consent of the participant or his/her representative obtained prior to any study procedure Exclusion Criteria: * Patients unwilling or unable to comply with study procedures * Patients not requiring treatment with systemic corticosteroids, antibiotics or both as a minimum therapy for the index AECOPD * Patients with a confirmed positive test result for COVID19, or those highly suspected based on clinical examination