ABSTRACT
The tenn "cachexia" refers to the dramatic weight loss that is characteristic of several systemic diseases, including malabsorption, congestive heart failure, major trauma, severe sepsis, AIDS, and cancer. Cachexia is characterized by unintentional weight loss involving depletion of skeletal muscle mass and adipose tissue and contributes significantly to mortality. Anorexia (meaning loss of appetite)- as a frequent complication of these diseasesis a major contributor to the development of cachexia.
