What is the Difference Between Anorexia and Cachexia?

Anorexia and cachexia are both conditions characterized by weight loss, but they have distinct differences in terms of their classification, cause, and prognosis.

Anorexia:

• Refers to the loss of appetite or aversion to food.
• It is a symptom of various medical conditions or psychiatric disorders.
• In the context of cancer, anorexia is often caused by factors such as pain, dehydration, loss of taste or smell, or cancer treatments affecting appetite.
• It can be a temporary or long-term condition, and individuals with anorexia may or may not have a eating disorder.

Cachexia:

• Refers to a loss of body mass, including lean body mass and fat, in the setting of a disease state, such as cancer.
• It is an involuntary "wasting" disorder that affects individuals in the late stages of a serious illness.
• A diagnosis of cachexia requires the loss of at least 5% of the body weight in 12 months or less, along with at least three other symptoms, such as fatigue, anemia, reduced muscle strength, high levels of inflammation, low fat-free mass index, and low levels of albumin.
• It is associated with poor outcomes and a lower quality of life in patients with advanced cancer.

In summary, while both conditions involve weight loss, anorexia is primarily characterized by a loss of appetite and can be caused by various medical or psychiatric factors, whereas cachexia is an involuntary "wasting" disorder associated with serious illnesses and has a more significant impact on the patient's quality of life and prognosis.

Comparative Table: Anorexia vs Cachexia

Here is a table summarizing the differences between anorexia and cachexia:

Please note that the prognosis for anorexia is given in terms of recovery, while the prognosis for cachexia is given in terms of recovery from the underlying medical condition. Death can result from cachexia if treatment for the underlying medical condition is insufficient.