Cachexia

The Cachexia topic includes research on the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cachexia, including cancer cachexia and acute cachexia. The topic also includes research on muscle loss (atrophy) in response to chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Cachexia is characterized by involuntary weight loss, appetite loss, weakness, and fatigue. Unlike malnutrition, the condition cannot be reversed with nutrition support alone. Understanding cachexia can help improve care for people whose illness affects their strength, physical function, and quality of life.