Disclosed is a method of treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with chronic bronchitis in a patient at risk of exacerbations. The method includes administering to a patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with chronic bronchitis and at risk of exacerbations, a maintenance dose of 500 micrograms per day of roflumilast. Also disclosed is a method of increasing pre-bronchodilator FEV1 or post-bronchodilator FEV1 in such a patient, and increasing pre-bronchodilator FVC or post-bronchodilator FVC in such a patient. Further disclosed is a method of reducing the rate of exacerbations in such a patient.
