Important parameters for differentiation into wasting, cachexia, and sarcopenia.
| Parameters | Wasting | Cachexia | Sarcopenia |
| Weight | ↓ | = to (↓) | = up to (↓) or ↓ |
| Body cell mass | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ (muscle) |
| Function | ↓ | ↓ | ↓ |
| Anorexia nervosa | ++ | – until (+) | – until (+) |
| Energy consumption | = to (↑) | ↑ | = to (↑) |
| Immunity | = to (↓) | ↓ | = to (↓) |
| Mortality | ↑ | ↑ | ? |
| Examples | AIDSIntensive CarePatientLiverFailure | TuberculosisTumor diseasesLiver cirrhosisRheumatoid arthritis. | Old ageHeavinessGlucocorticoids |
