Cachexia: Complications

The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by cachexia:

Respiratory system (J00-J99)

  • Decrease in respiratory muscles with subsequent limitation of respiratory function.
  • Pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs)

Skin and subcutaneous (L00-L99)

  • Decubital ulcers (“bedsores”).
  • Wound healing disorders

Cardiovascular system (I00-I99)

  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Reduction of cardiac muscle mass

Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).

  • Susceptibility to infection

Mouth, esophagus (food pipe), stomach and intestines (K00-K67; K90-K93).

Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99).

  • Decrease in muscle strength
  • Osteomalacia (softening of the bones)
  • Disorders in the course of movement

Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99)

  • Dementia
  • Lack of concentration
  • Problems in the partnership, for example, due to self-esteem reduction.
  • Loss of zest for life
  • Reduced resilience
  • States of confusion

Symptoms and abnormal clinical and laboratory parameters not elsewhere classified (R00-R99).

  • Anorexia (loss of appetite).
  • Listlessness
  • Fragility (frailty; geriatric syndrome); secondary disease of sarcopenia (muscle weakness or muscle loss) and cachexia; affected are physical performance, walking speed, mobility, mental health and cognition; a balanced diet rich in protein and vitamin D, as well as strength and balance training can counteract muscle loss and functional decline, as well as help maintain mental health and cognition.
  • Fatigue

Genitourinary system (kidneys, urinary tract – sex organs) (N00-N99)

  • Reproductive disorders – male and female
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Hormonal disorders – for example, secondary amenorrhea.
  • Cycle disorders

Further

  • General weakness
  • Increased risk of fractures – risk of fractures increases
  • Increased risk of falls
  • Increased risk of complications from surgery or underlying diseases
  • Overall increased mortality (mortality)
  • Deteriorated drug tolerance
  • Deteriorated therapy tolerance
  • Delayed recovery