Symptom

Weight loss

Unintentional or intentional reduction in total body mass, commonly defined clinically as ≥5% of body weight over 6–12 months when unexplained or involuntary.

Causes

  • Malnutrition and gastrointestinal disorders

    • Celiac disease

    • Crohn's disease

    • Ulcerative colitis

    • Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

    • Other malabsorption syndromes

  • Endocrine and metabolic causes

    • Hyperthyroidism

    • Diabetes mellitus

    • Other hypermetabolic states

  • Malignancy

    • Gastrointestinal cancers

    • Lung cancer

    • Lymphoma

    • Other cancers

  • Chronic infections

    • Tuberculosis

    • HIV/AIDS

    • Other chronic infections

  • Chronic heart failure

  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

  • Psychiatric and neurological causes

    • Depression

    • Anxiety

    • Anorexia nervosa

    • Bulimia nervosa

    • Dementia

    • Parkinson's disease

  • Oral and dental causes

    • Gum disease

    • Poor dentition

    • Painful oral conditions causing reduced food intake

  • Medication and substance-related causes

    • Chemotherapy

    • Thyroid medications

    • Other appetite-suppressing or catabolic medications

    • Illicit substance use

Also known as: Cachexia, Emaciation, Sarcopenia, Wasting

Referencing diagnoses

Note: Lists existing diagnoses in Diagnotize only.