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Medicina Clinica Jan 2024Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are eating disorders associated with life-threatening multisystemic medical complications. This narrative review aimed to present... (Review)
Review
Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are eating disorders associated with life-threatening multisystemic medical complications. This narrative review aimed to present the medical complications most related to these disorders. In anorexia nervosa, many of them are linked to malnutrition and underweight, usually reversible with renutrition and weight restoration, although refeeding can also be linked to some medical complications. Purging behaviors observed in the anorexia nervosa binge-purging subtype and bulimia nervosa have been mainly related to hydrolectrolyte and acid-base disturbances, in addition to local complications. Thus, an early identification and therapeutic intervention of these disorders is considered crucial. Integral medical monitoring should be ensured to prevent potential serious complications from the early stages, with the involvement of physicians, psychologists, nutritionists, and other specialists in a multidisciplinary approach according to the patient's needs.
Topics: Humans; Bulimia Nervosa; Anorexia; Anorexia Nervosa; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Malnutrition
PubMed: 37598049
DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.07.028 -
The Veterinary Clinics of North... Sep 2019Appetite influences perceived quality of life for a dog or cat with cancer. Inappetence often is multifactorial, complicating treatment. Cancer-related anorexia/cachexia... (Review)
Review
Appetite influences perceived quality of life for a dog or cat with cancer. Inappetence often is multifactorial, complicating treatment. Cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome is a metabolic, paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by decreased food intake, involuntary weight loss, and loss of fat and muscle. If weight loss/cachexia has an impact on canine and feline cancer patients as in humans, management may improve survival times and quality of life. The challenge is having effective, proved therapies available for clinical use. Recent Food and Drug Administration approvals for appetite stimulation have renewed interest and discussion and has the potential to alter the course of case management.
Topics: Animals; Anorexia; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Appetite Stimulants; Cachexia; Cannabidiol; Cat Diseases; Cats; Chronic Disease; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Neoplasms; Quality of Life
PubMed: 31176457
DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2019.04.008 -
Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official... May 2023Anorexia occurs in 30%-80% of patients with advanced malignancies, which may be worsened with chemotherapy. This trial assessed the efficacy of olanzapine in stimulating... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study of Olanzapine for Chemotherapy-Related Anorexia in Patients With Locally Advanced or Metastatic Gastric, Hepatopancreaticobiliary, and Lung Cancer.
PURPOSE
Anorexia occurs in 30%-80% of patients with advanced malignancies, which may be worsened with chemotherapy. This trial assessed the efficacy of olanzapine in stimulating appetite and improving weight gain in patients receiving chemotherapy.
METHODS
Adults (≥18 years) with untreated, locally advanced, or metastatic gastric, hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB), and lung cancers were randomly assigned (double-blind) to receive olanzapine (2.5 mg once a day for 12 weeks) or placebo along with chemotherapy. Both groups received standard nutritional assessment and dietary advice. The primary outcomes were the proportion of patients with weight gain > 5% and the improvement in appetite (assessed by the visual analog scale [VAS] and the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy system of Quality-of-Life questionnaires Anorexia Cachexia subscale [FAACT ACS]). Secondary end points were change in nutritional status, quality of life (QOL), and chemotherapy toxicity.
RESULTS
We enrolled 124 patients (olanzapine, 63 and placebo, 61) with a median age of 55 years (18-78 years), of whom 112 (olanzapine, 58 and placebo, 54) were analyzable. The majority (n = 99, 80%) had metastatic cancer (gastric [n = 68, 55%] > lung [n = 43, 35%] > HPB [n = 13, 10%]). The olanzapine arm had a greater proportion of patients with a weight gain of > 5% (35 of 58 [60%] 5 of 54 [9%], < .001) and improvement in appetite by VAS (25 of 58 [43%] 7 of 54 [13%], < .001) and by FAACT ACS (scores ≥37:13 of 58 [22%] 2 of 54 [4%], = .004). Patients on olanzapine had better QOL, nutritional status, and lesser chemotoxicity. Side effects attributable to olanzapine were minimal.
CONCLUSION
Low-dose, daily olanzapine is a simple, inexpensive, well-tolerated intervention that significantly improves appetite and weight gain in newly diagnosed patients on chemotherapy.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Middle Aged; Olanzapine; Anorexia; Quality of Life; Lung Neoplasms; Double-Blind Method; Weight Gain
PubMed: 36977285
DOI: 10.1200/JCO.22.01997 -
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and... Jun 2020Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, along with adipose tissue wasting, systemic inflammation and... (Review)
Review
Cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by a progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, along with adipose tissue wasting, systemic inflammation and other metabolic abnormalities leading to functional impairment. Cancer cachexia has long been recognized as a direct cause of complications in cancer patients, reducing quality of life and worsening disease outcomes. Some related conditions, like sarcopenia (age-related muscle wasting), anorexia (appetite loss) and asthenia (reduced muscular strength and fatigue), share some key features with cancer cachexia, such as weakness and systemic inflammation. Understanding the interplay and the differences between these conditions is critical to advance basic and translational research in this field, improving the accuracy of diagnosis and contributing to finally achieve effective therapies for affected patients.
Topics: Anorexia; Asthenia; Cachexia; Humans; Quality of Life; Sarcopenia
PubMed: 32142217
DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12528 -
Trends in Cancer May 2022The cachexia syndrome in cancer is characterized by weight loss resulting from the combination of anorexia and atrophy of adipose and skeletal muscle. For decades,... (Review)
Review
The cachexia syndrome in cancer is characterized by weight loss resulting from the combination of anorexia and atrophy of adipose and skeletal muscle. For decades, inflammatory circulatory factors have been identified to regulate wasting, but inhibitors of these factors have not yielded the same clinical benefit as in animal models. Therefore, additional mediators of cachexia likely regulate this syndrome, and such factors might be more suitable for targeted intervention. We highlight several anorexia-cachexia signaling mediators, including activin A, myostatin, GDF15, and lipocalin-2. We discuss current evidence that these factors associate with cachexia in cancer patients, and summarize translational efforts including essential early-phase clinical trials. We conclude with thoughts on targeted and personalized approaches for future anti-cachexia treatments.
Topics: Adipose Tissue; Animals; Anorexia; Cachexia; Humans; Neoplasms; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 35190301
DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.01.004 -
Nature Reviews. Clinical Oncology Apr 2023Cachexia is a devastating, multifactorial and often irreversible systemic syndrome characterized by substantial weight loss (mainly of skeletal muscle and adipose... (Review)
Review
Cachexia is a devastating, multifactorial and often irreversible systemic syndrome characterized by substantial weight loss (mainly of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue) that occurs in around 50-80% of patients with cancer. Although this condition mainly affects skeletal muscle (which accounts for approximately 40% of total body weight), cachexia is a multi-organ syndrome that also involves white and brown adipose tissue, and organs including the bones, brain, liver, gut and heart. Notably, cachexia accounts for up to 20% of cancer-related deaths. Cancer-associated cachexia is invariably associated with systemic inflammation, anorexia and increased energy expenditure. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, and the progress achieved in this area over the past decade could help to develop new therapeutic approaches. In this Review, we examine the currently available evidence on the roles of both the tumour macroenvironment and microenvironment in cancer-associated cachexia, and provide an overview of the novel therapeutic strategies developed to manage this syndrome.
Topics: Humans; Cachexia; Neoplasms; Adipose Tissue; Muscle, Skeletal; Anorexia; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 36806788
DOI: 10.1038/s41571-023-00734-5 -
Age (Dordrecht, Netherlands) Aug 2015Many, even healthy, older people fail to adequately regulate food intake and experience loss of weight. Aging-associated changes in the regulation of appetite and the... (Review)
Review
Many, even healthy, older people fail to adequately regulate food intake and experience loss of weight. Aging-associated changes in the regulation of appetite and the lack of hunger have been termed as the anorexia of aging. The etiology of the anorexia of aging is multi-factorial and includes a combination of physiological changes associated with aging (decline in smell and taste, reduced central and peripheral drive to eat, delayed gastric emptying), pathological conditions (depression, dementia, somatic diseases, medications and iatrogenic interventions, oral-health status), and social factors (poverty, loneliness). However, exact mechanisms of the anorexia of aging remain to be elucidated. Many neurobiological mechanisms may be secondary to age-related changes in body composition and not associated with anorexia per se. Therefore, further studies on pathophysiological mechanisms of the anorexia of aging should employ accurate measurement of body fat and lean mass. The anorexia of aging is associated with protein-energy malnutrition, sarcopenia, frailty, functional deterioration, morbidity, and mortality. Since this symptom can lead to dramatic consequences, early identification and effective interventions are needed. One of the most important goals in the geriatric care is to optimize nutritional status of the elderly.
Topics: Aging; Anorexia; Appetite; Eating; Gastrointestinal Absorption; Gastrointestinal Motility; Humans
PubMed: 26232135
DOI: 10.1007/s11357-015-9821-x -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... May 2022Androgen prohormones such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increase in early puberty, peak in the second and third decade, and thereafter decline, independent of... (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Androgen prohormones such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) increase in early puberty, peak in the second and third decade, and thereafter decline, independent of menopausal status. Investigators have examined their potential beneficial effects in normal women and those with DHEA-deficient states.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A review of the literature from 1985 to 2021 on the potential benefits and risks of androgen prohormones in women.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
Studies have examined the potential benefit of DHEA therapy for anti-aging, sexual dysfunction, infertility, metabolic bone health, cognition, and wellbeing in hormone-deficient states such as primary adrenal insufficiency, hypopituitarism, and anorexia as well as administration to normal women across the lifespan.
CONCLUSIONS
Data support small benefits in quality of life and mood but not for anxiety or sexual function in women with primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency or anorexia. No consistent beneficial effects of DHEA administration have been observed for menopausal symptoms, sexual function, cognition, or overall wellbeing in normal women. Local administration of DHEA shows benefit in vulvovaginal atrophy. Use of DHEA to improve induction of ovulation response in women with diminished ovarian reserve is not recommended. Risks of high physiologic or pharmacologic use of DHEA include androgenic and estrogenic side effects which are of concern for long-term administration.
CLINICAL CASE
A 49-year-old woman with Addison's disease who is on low dose estrogen with cyclic progesterone therapy for menopausal symptoms returns for follow-up. She is on a stable glucocorticoid replacement strategy of hydrocortisone 10 mg in the morning and 5 mg in the early afternoon and fludrocortisone 0.05 mg each morning. She has read on the internet that additional therapy with DHEA may help her overall quality of life and libido. She asks whether she should add this therapy to her regimen and at what dose.
Topics: Androgens; Anorexia; Dehydroepiandrosterone; Estrogens; Female; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Humans; Middle Aged; Quality of Life
PubMed: 35254428
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac130 -
Nutrients Jan 2016Older people frequently fail to ingest adequate amount of food to meet their essential energy and nutrient requirements. Anorexia of aging, defined by decrease in... (Review)
Review
Older people frequently fail to ingest adequate amount of food to meet their essential energy and nutrient requirements. Anorexia of aging, defined by decrease in appetite and/or food intake in old age, is a major contributing factor to under-nutrition and adverse health outcomes in the geriatric population. This disorder is indeed highly prevalent and is recognized as an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in different clinical settings. Even though anorexia is not an unavoidable consequence of aging, advancing age often promotes its development through various mechanisms. Age-related changes in life-style, disease conditions, as well as social and environmental factors have the potential to directly affect dietary behaviors and nutritional status. In spite of their importance, problems related to food intake and, more generally, nutritional status are seldom attended to in clinical practice. While this may be the result of an "ageist" approach, it should be acknowledged that simple interventions, such as oral nutritional supplementation or modified diets, could meaningfully improve the health status and quality of life of older persons.
Topics: Aging; Anorexia; Appetite; Eating; Humans; Malnutrition; Nutritional Status; Sarcopenia
PubMed: 26828516
DOI: 10.3390/nu8020069 -
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders... 2018Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and their variants are characterized by persistent alteration of eating behaviour, such as restricted intake or bingeing and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and their variants are characterized by persistent alteration of eating behaviour, such as restricted intake or bingeing and purging, as well as excessive concerns about body shape and body weight. Purging behaviour may include self induced vomiting and/or abuse of laxatives, diuretics and physical hyperactivity. Unlike other psychiatric disorders, patients suffering from AN and BN have a high prevalence of many different medical complications, through the sequelae of undernutrition and purging, often with a serious impairment of health status and quality of life. This article describes the main diagnostic and clinical aspects of medical complications in AN and BN.
RESULTS
The medical complications of ED are extremely variable and can occur with only modest biological and physical damage up to extremely serious and life-threatening conditions; the mortality rate of young subjects with AN is 4 - 11% with a risk of death about 12 times higher than that of subjects of the same age of the general population. The management of the medical-internship aspects of AN and BN is rightly placed within complex and articulated programs of interdisciplinary treatment with different levels of intensity of care (outpatient, semi-residential/residential, hospital in cases of emergency/medical and/or psychiatric emergency).
CONCLUSION
the results of the investigations carried out, describe the functions of the various organs and apparatuses and the alterations detected, the possible complications and physiological adaptations to malnutrition.
Topics: Anorexia; Bulimia Nervosa; Feeding Behavior; Humans; Malnutrition; Nutritional Status; Prognosis; Quality of Life; Risk Factors
PubMed: 29848283
DOI: 10.2174/1871530318666180531094508