Weight Loss

Question 1

Using a surgical sieve model, what are the main headings for differentials of weight loss?

Answer 1

Malignancy
Drugs
GI
Neuro
Psychiatry
Infection
Inflammatory
Intentional
Endocrine
'Other'

Question 2

What are the potential GI causes of unintentional weight loss?

Answer 2

Malabsorption as a result of:
Coeliac disease
Inflammatory bowel disease
GI ulceration
Constipation
Pharyngeal pouch

Question 3

What are the potential neurological causes of unintentional weight loss?

Answer 3

Stroke
Motor neurone disease
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson’s

Question 4

What are the potential psychiatric causes of unintentional weight loss?

Answer 4

Depression
Anxiety
Dementia (usually late feature)
Eating disorders

Question 5

What are the potential infectious causes of unintentional weight loss?

Answer 5

TB
HIB
Almost any other infection!

Question 6

What are the potential inflammatory causes of unintentional weight loss?

Answer 6

Rheumatoid arthritis
Giant cell arteritis
Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Any chronic inflammatory condition

Question 7

What are the potential endocrine causes of unintentional weight loss?

Answer 7

Hyperthyroidism
Diabetes mellitus
Addison’s

Question 8

What are the potential miscellaneous causes of unintentional weight loss?

Answer 8

Diogenes
Ill fitting dentures
Respiratory / cardia cachexia