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Weight loss


Unintentional weight loss is often a manifestation of significant underlying disease and should never be ignored.

Causes

Systemic disease

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    Malignancy

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    Cardiac failure

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    Chronic respiratory disease

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    Renal failure

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    Liver failure

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    Malabsorption

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    Connective tissue disease (e.g. SLE, rheumatoid arthritis)

Endocrine

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    Diabetes mellitus

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    Hyperthyroidism

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    Addison’s disease

Infective

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    TB • (very common in the developing world and on the increase in the developed world)

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    HIV • (very common in the developing world)

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    Helminth (worms) infection • (very common in endemic areas)

Psychiatric

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    Depression

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    Anorexia nervosa

Other

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    Any terminal illness

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    Substance abuse (e.g. laxatives, amphetamines, opiates)

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    Drugs, e.g. excessive thyroxine replacement

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    Malnutrition ( Fig. 65 ) • (common in developing countries)

    Figure 65, Obvious signs of weight loss with widespread muscle and soft-tissue wasting in a malnourished patient .

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