Byng D, et al. - Researchers present the first longitudinal results from the German chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cohort COSYCONET, depicting healthcare utilization and related costs. They utilized self-reported data from 1904 patients with COPD who visited the baseline and 18-month follow-up appointments. Based on these data, they estimated direct costs for the 12 months preceding both examinations. Predictors of cost rise over 18 months were determined by developing change score models. In COPD, the identified determinants of elevated future costs and cost increases included higher GOLD grade, comorbidity burden, dyspnea and moderate or severe exacerbations. Additionally, underweight was the factor that independently conferred risk for an increase in direct healthcare costs over time.