Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
08:55
The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia
Published on: November 30, 2016
16.1K
Cachexia vs obesity: where is the real unmet clinical need?
Stephan von Haehling1, Stefan D Anker
1Applied Cachexia Research, Department of Cardiology, Charité Medical School, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany, stephan.von.haehling@charite.de.
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle
|November 8, 2013
Summary
Research on cachexia (wasting disorders) is significantly underrepresented compared to obesity, despite cachexia
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Biomedical science
- Public health
Background:
- Obesity and cachexia are significant health concerns with differing research focus.
- PubMed reveals a 26:1 publication ratio favoring obesity over cachexia.
- Clinical guidelines show a similar disparity, with minimal guidance for cachexia care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the discrepancy in research and funding between obesity and cachexia.
- To underscore the critical unmet medical need posed by cachexia.
- To advocate for increased research focus on cachexia and wasting disorders.
Main Methods:
- PubMed database search for publications on obesity and cachexia.
- Analysis of publication trends and clinical guideline content.
- Comparison of mortality rates associated with obesity and cachexia.
Main Results:
- Cachexia publications are vastly outnumbered by obesity publications (1,825 vs. 47,828).
- Clinical guidelines offer minimal support for cachexia management (4 vs. 147 entries).
- Cachexia has a mortality impact at least 20 times higher than obesity within 5 years of diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- A significant imbalance exists in research focus and public funding for obesity versus cachexia.
- Cachexia represents a major unmet medical need, particularly for short-term outcomes.
- Increased research and attention are crucial to improve patient care for cachexia and wasting disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Obesity
1.6K
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.6K
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
330
Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
330
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
445
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
445
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
372
In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
372
01:19Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology
56
Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features...
56
01:26Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction
46
Cushing syndrome refers to the collection of clinical manifestations that arise when tissues are exposed to excessive amounts of cortisol or cortisol-like medications over an extended period. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex, regulates metabolism, immune responses, and the body’s adaptation to stress. When its concentration remains chronically elevated, these physiological pathways become dysregulated, resulting in the characteristic features of the...
46