Cachexia

Cachexia is a complex syndrome associated with severe weight loss and muscle wasting, primarily due to underlying diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart failure, COPD, and chronic kidney disease, and is characterized by ongoing muscle loss that cannot be reversed with nutritional supplementation. This condition, which typically involves a loss of more than 5% of body weight within 12 months, is linked to systemic inflammation, increased mortality, and poor quality of life.