Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of cachexia.
Family history
Social history
Current anamnesis/systemic anamnesis (somatic and psychological complaints).
- Do you often feel tired and unable to perform?
- Have you noticed any changes in your skin/hair?
- Do you have any wound healing problems?
- Do you have diarrhea? If so, how often per week?
- Do you suffer from decreased performance?
- Have you noticed any other symptoms?
Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.
- How has your body weight developed recently? Please tell us your body weight (in kg) and height (in cm).
- How often and how much do you eat every day?
- Have you noticed any changes in appetite?
- Is your diet balanced?
- Do you get enough exercise every day?
- Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
- Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day?
- Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?
Self history incl. medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions (gastrointestinal diseases, tumor diseases, tuberculosis, liver cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), rheumatoid arthritis).
- Operations
- Radiotherapy
- Allergies
Medication history
- Cytostatic drugs (substances that inhibit cell growth or cell division).
By answering the following seven questions, a good statement about the nutritional situation can often already be achieved.
- Is there any unwanted weight loss?
- Is the food often not eaten?
- Is it difficult to chew and swallow?
- Drinking less than 1.5l of fluid per day?
- Does diarrhea occur frequently (more than three times a week)?
- Are there wound healing disorders?
- Is the body mass index (BMI) in the red zone (< 18.5)?
If no question was answered YES, there is no risk of malnutrition.
If answered YES to any question, the course should be closely monitored, desire food provided and / or diet counseling.
If YES was answered twice, there is a risk of malnutrition. Targeted nutritional assistance should be given and/or nutritional supplements should be offered.
If YES was answered three or more times, malnutrition is present.
