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Evaluating involuntary weight loss in older adults
1Veterans Administration Medical Center, Denver, Colo.
The Nurse Practitioner
|March 1, 1988
Summary
Unexplained weight loss is common in adults over 40. Many patients reporting weight loss show no actual decrease, and a physical cause is often not found, even after extensive evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Involuntary weight loss is a frequent concern for patients over 40.
- Limited research exists on the specific causes of this condition.
- This review examines recent studies on the etiologies of unintentional weight loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review common causes of unintentional weight loss in adults over 40.
- To present findings from two recent studies on weight loss etiologies.
- To offer guidelines for evaluating patients experiencing weight loss.
Main Methods:
- Review of two recent clinical studies on unintentional weight loss.
- Analysis of patient data regarding reported versus actual weight decrease.
- Assessment of diagnostic findings following a six-month follow-up period.
Main Results:
- Nearly half of patients reporting significant weight loss had no actual weight decrease.
- In 35% of patients with true weight loss, no physical cause was identified after six months.
- Identified causes of weight loss were often apparent through initial history, physical exam, and basic lab tests.
Conclusions:
- A significant portion of patients complaining of weight loss do not exhibit actual weight loss.
- When weight loss is genuine, a physical cause is not always immediately apparent.
- Initial clinical evaluation is crucial for identifying common causes of involuntary weight loss.