Assessing cachexia in older patients: Different definitions – But which one is the most practical for clinical routine?

Zopf Y, Schink K, Reljic D, Herrmann HJ, Dieterich W, Kießwetter E, Sieber C, Neurath M, Volkert D (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Archives of gerontology and geriatrics Elsevier

Book Volume: 86

Article Number: 103943

DOI: 10.1016/j.archger.2019.103943

Abstract

Objective: Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases and malignant tumors have an increased risk of cachexia. No consistent definition exists to rapidly identify cachexia in older patients with and without cancer. Methods: One-hundred patients (53% male) aged 70 + years were included in the study by a university hospital. In addition to the detection of malnutrition and determination of body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis, cachexia was assessed according to the well-established definitions of Evans (weight loss ≥ 5% within the last 12 months plus additional clinical parameters), Fearon (weight loss > 5% in 6 months) and Bozzetti (weight loss ≥ 10% of habitual weight). After a follow-up of 3.5 years, the mortality rate was recorded. Results: Thirty-three patients had a malignant tumor disease. The patients with a non-malignant underlying disease did not differ in their mental state, physical condition and state of health compared to patients with cancer. A higher percentage of patients with underlying malignancy had cachexia. There were significant differences in the body composition between the patients with or without cachexia. Cachectic patients exhibited a significantly lower skeletal muscle mass and fat mass. The risk of death was increased in cachectic patients of all three cachexia definitions. Conclusion: For clinical daily routine, the assessments by a weight loss according to Fearon and Bozzetti are suggested to be practicable methods to detect cachexia in older patients with and without cancer.

Authors with CRIS profile

Yurdagül Zopf Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Kristin Schink Professur für Integrative Medizin mit dem Schwerpunkt Ernährungsmedizin (Stiftungsprofessur der Hector Stiftung II gGmbH) Dejan Reljic Department of Medicine 1 – Gastroenterology, Pneumology and Endocrinology Walburga Dieterich Medizinische Fakultät Eva Kießwetter Professur für Klinische Ernährung im Alter Cornel Sieber Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin (Geriatrie) Markus Neurath Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin I Dorothee Volkert Professur für Klinische Ernährung im Alter

How to cite

APA:

Zopf, Y., Schink, K., Reljic, D., Herrmann, H.J., Dieterich, W., Kießwetter, E.,... Volkert, D. (2020). Assessing cachexia in older patients: Different definitions – But which one is the most practical for clinical routine? Archives of gerontology and geriatrics, 86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2019.103943

MLA:

Zopf, Yurdagül, et al. "Assessing cachexia in older patients: Different definitions – But which one is the most practical for clinical routine?" Archives of gerontology and geriatrics 86 (2020).

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