Involuntary weight loss in elderly individuals: assessment and treatment
São Paulo med. j
; 119(2): 72-7, Mar. 2001. tab
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-282393
Responsible library:
BR1.1
RESUMO
CONTEXT The loss of body weight and fat late in life is associated with premature death and increased risk of disability, even after excluding elderly subjects who have a preexisting disease. Although it is important to recognize that periods of substantially positive or negative energy balance and body weight fluctuation occur as a normal part of life, weight losses greater than 5 percent over 6 months should be investigated. We can divide the major causes of weight loss in the elderly into 4 categories social, psychiatric, due to medical conditions, and age-related. The clinical evaluation should include a careful history and physical examination. If these fail to provide clues to the weight loss, simple diagnostic tests are indicated. A period of watchful waiting is preferable to blind pursuit of additional diagnostic testing that may yield few useful data, if the results of these initial tests are normal. The first step in managing patients with weight loss is to identify and treat any specific causative or contributing conditions and to provide nutritional support when indicated. Non-orexigenic drugs have found an established place in the management of protein-energy malnutrition. Early attention to nutrition and prevention of weight loss during periods of acute stress, particularly during hospitalization, may be extremely important, as efforts directed at re-feeding are often unsuccessful. DESIGN:
Narrative review
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
LILACS
Main subject:
Weight Loss
Type of study:
Controlled clinical trial
/
Diagnostic study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
São Paulo med. j
Journal subject:
Cirurgia Geral
/
Cincia
/
Ginecologia
/
Medicine
/
Medicina Interna
/
Obstetr¡cia
/
Pediatria
/
Sa£de Mental
/
Sa£de P£blica
Year:
2001
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
Institution/Affiliation country:
Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto/BR
/
Hospital das Clínicas of Ribeirão Preto/BR
/
Universidade de São Paulo/BR