A patient in heart failure may undergo unintended weight loss sufficient to result in cachexia.
Mechanism: uncertain but may involve immune activation with cytokines release and/or neuroendocrine activation
Criteria – all of the other:
(1) presence of heart failure
(2) nonintentional weight loss > 6% of premorbid usual weight not due to diuresis
(3) weight loss occurs over a time period > 6 months
(4) not explained by other cause of cachexia (cancer, thyroid disease, liver disease)
where:
• The weight loss was > 7.5% in the 1999 article.
• If cytokines are involved then there should bo other signs of cytokine effects.
Limitations:
• Weight gain from fluid accumulation and weight loss from diuresis of excess fluids can mislead.
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Specialty: Nutrition, Hematology Oncology
ICD-10: ,