One non-synonymous polymorphism in CHRNA5 (rs16969968) which coded for the substitution of an asparagine for an aspartic acid at amino acid 398) was associated with COPD in the Bergen (p = 8.8×10−4) and ICGN (p = 2.78×10−6) cohorts (combined p value 5.08×10−8). The gene discussed is CHRNA5; the disease is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.