Stojan et al evaluated risk factors associated with cachexia in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This can help to identify a patient who may require nutritional monitoring and support. The authors are from UCB Biopharma in Belgium, Johns Hopkins University and the University of Virginia.
Patient selection: systemic lupus erythematosus
Risk factors development of cachexia within 5 years of cohort entry:
(1) body mass index (BMI) less than 20 kg per square meter
(2) current steroid use
(3) vasculitis
(4) lupus nephritis
(5) serositis
(6) hematologic manifestations of SLE
(7) positive for anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies (anti-dsDNA)
(8) positive for anti-Smith (anti-Sm)
(9) positive for anti-ribonucleoprotein (anti-RNP)
The presence of intermittent cachexia (with periods of cachexia followed by periods of weight recovery) was associated with greater organ damage.
Conditions not associated with development of cachexia:
(1) musculoskeletal
(2) skin
(3) neurological
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