Inflammation & Cachexia

Question 1

Positive acute-phase protein

Answer 1

Plasma concentration increases in states of systemic inflammation

Question 2

Negative acute-phase protein

Answer 2

Plasma concentration decreases in states of systemic inflammation

Question 3

Constitutional symptom definition

Answer 3

Umbrella term encompassing symptoms patients typically report when experiencing a systemic inflammatory response, or from and active destructive pathological process

Question 4

Examples of constitutional symptoms

Answer 4

Chills
Rigors
Fevers
Diaphoresis
Fatigue
Malaise
Weight loss

Question 5

Why are serum albumin plasma concentrations useful for monitoring the condition of acutely sick patients?

Answer 5

Serum albumin is a negative acute-phase protein. Thus, a reduced albumin concentration indicates the presence and severity of systemic inflammation.

Question 6

Why does serum albumin concentration decrease in the presence of systemic inflammation?

Answer 6

Because of the change in permeability of the capillary endothelium

Question 7

Serum albumin concentration (exact value) that indicates systemic inflammation?

Answer 7

<20g

Question 8

2 causes of hypoalbuminemia (other than systemic inflammation)

Answer 8

Nephrotic syndrome
Protein-losing enteropathy

You do not need to know the details of these conditions

Question 9

Chronic systemic inflammation can lead to….

Answer 9

cachexia

Question 10

How does systemic inflammation affect appetite?

Answer 10

It decreases appetite (anorexia). The person eats less food (less protein, less energy).
At the same time, for the healing and remodelling, we are undergoing accelerated muscle protein catabolism.

Question 11

Clinical features of cachexia

Answer 11

Anorexia
Muscle loss
Adipose tissue consumption
Fatigue

Question 12

Define anorexia

Answer 12

Absence of appetite, refusal to eat

Question 13

Define nausea

Answer 13

Premonition of vomiting

Question 14

Which is more dangerous:
a) Anorexia without involuntary weight loss
b) Anorexia with involuntary weight loss

Answer 14

b)

Question 15

Fatigue regulates behaviour!

Question 16

Characteristics of frailty

Answer 16

• Unintentional weight loss
• Low psychic energy and reduced agency
• Reduced physical and mental activity
• Diminished grip strength
• Slowed gait, slower movements
• ?

Question 17

True or false: Chronic fatigue and chronic pain may in part represent acquired or “learned” harmful distortions of neurophysiological and neuromuscular regulatory disorders

Answer 17

True