C

Abstract

def. unintended and progressive weight loss that is often accompanied by weakness, fever, nutritional deficiencies, diarrhoea, and usually with a disproportionate muscle wasting. It occurs in many chronic illnesses and diseases such as cancer, in particular advanced stage cancer, but also Alzheimer’s disease, chronic heart failure, chronic lung disease, congestive heart failure, cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease, renal failure, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, liver cirrhosis, heart surgery, sepsis and sarcopenia; there is no universally accepted definition but the 95% CIs for change in body weight in healthy adults is ±2% in 1 month and ±5% in 6 months; see weight.