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Editorial| Volume 11, ISSUE 4, P229-230, May 2010

Consensus on Cachexia Definitions

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2010.02.004
Consensus on Cachexia Definitions
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      Cachexia is a term originating from the Greek “kakos” and “hexis” meaning “bad condition.” The cachectic state is observed in many pathological conditions such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sepsis, or chronic heart failure. For several years it has been considered key to develop a standardized definition of cachexia.
      • Springer J.
      • von Haehling S.
      • Anker S.D.
      The need for a standardized definition for cachexia in chronic illness.
      Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2006; 2: 416-417
      This represents a key issue for treatment, for reimbursement, and for inclusion and exclusion from clinical trials. The definition and diagnostic criteria must be clear to identify the early signs. Also a key point, the definition must include an appreciation that cachexia is found in a number of life-limiting illnesses and that the management of this syndrome at the end of life must be facilitated, albeit that this is not done the same way as in earlier stages. In the past few years, 3 different cachexia definitions have been published. A consensus is, therefore, needed. The definition could be used by many interests: American Association of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition (ASPEN), European Society for Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition (ESPEN), the Food and Drug Administration, gerontologists, cardiologists, oncologists, specialists in palliative medicine, industry, and so forth.
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      References

        • Springer J.
        • von Haehling S.
        • Anker S.D.
        The need for a standardized definition for cachexia in chronic illness.
        Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2006; 2: 416-417
        View in Article
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        • Omlin A.
        • Fearon K.
        • et al.
        on behalf of the EPCRC. Evolving classification systems for cancer cachexia: Ready for clinical practice?.
        Support Care Cancer. 2010; (In press)
        View in Article
        • Muscaritoli M.
        • Anker S.D.
        • Argilés J.M.
        • et al.
        Cachexia and sarcopenia—Definition and staging.
        Clin Nutr. 2010; (In press)
        View in Article
        • Evans W.J.
        • Morley J.E.
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        • et al.
        Cachexia and wasting disease: A new definition.
        Clin Nutr. 2008; 27: 793-799
        View in Article

      Article info

      Footnotes

      Conflicts of interest: J.M.A. is on the advisory board to Danone Research and received honoraria for speaking from Santhera Pharmaceuticals, Acacia Pharmaceuticals, Procter and Gamble, Novartis, Fresenius-Kabi, Amgen, Abbott. S.D.A. is a consultant to Amgen Inc, Fresenius Kabi, Myotec Therapeutics, Professional Dietetics, and Vifor Pharma and received honoraria for speaking from Amgen Inc, Fresenius Kabi, and Vifor Pharma. W.J.E. is employed by GlaxoSmithKline. J.E.M.: Healthspan, Abbott Nutrition, Lilly Pharmaceuticals, Mattern Pharmaceuticals. K.C.H.F. is on the advisory board to Acacia Pharmaceuticals and Alder Biopharmaceuticals and received honoraria for speaking from Abbott and Fresenius Kabi. M.M. is a consultant for Fresenius-Kabi, Baxter, and Abbott, and received speaking honoraria from Fresenius-Kabi, Baxter, Abbott, and Nutricia. V.E.B. is on the advisory board to Alder Biopharmaceuticals.

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2010.02.004

      Copyright

      © 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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