What is the Difference Between Cachexia and Sarcopenia?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Cachexia and sarcopenia are both muscle wasting disorders, but they have distinct differences in their definitions, mechanisms, and associated conditions. Here are the main differences between cachexia and sarcopenia:
- Definition: Sarcopenia is defined as the loss of muscle mass and function associated with aging, while cachexia is defined as weight loss due to an underlying illness.
- Mechanism: Sarcopenia is associated with the aging process, while cachexia is associated with a pathological, underlying condition.
- Comorbid Condition: Sarcopenia can be present with or without other comorbid conditions, while cachexia is characterized by the presence of other comorbid conditions.
- Functional Limitation: Both conditions are associated with functional limitations, but the limitations are more severe in cachexia.
- Inflammation: Inflammation is a key feature in cachexia, while it is not as prominent in sarcopenia.
- Fat Mass: Fat mass is increased in sarcopenia and decreased in cachexia.
- Protein Degradation: Protein degradation is increased in both conditions, but it is more prominent in cachexia.
- Resting Energy Expenditure: Resting energy expenditure is decreased in sarcopenia and increased in cachexia.
- Anorexia: Anorexia is present in both conditions, but it is more severe in cachexia.
In summary, sarcopenia is an age-related muscle loss and function decline, while cachexia is a weight loss due to an underlying illness, often characterized by increased inflammation and a more severe functional limitation.
Comparative Table: Cachexia vs Sarcopenia
Cachexia and sarcopenia are both conditions characterized by muscle loss, but they have distinct differences in their definitions, mechanisms, and clinical implications. Here is a table summarizing the differences between cachexia and sarcopenia:
Feature | Cachexia | Sarcopenia |
---|---|---|
Definition | Weight loss >5% in 6 months, with depletion of muscle and/or fat mass | Muscle mass <2SD of young healthy population, decreased muscle function |
Mechanism | Pathologic, associated with underlying illness | Aging-related |
Comorbid condition | +++ | +/− |
Functional limitation | +++ | ++ |
Inflammation | ++ | - |
Fat mass | Decreased | Increased |
Protein degradation | ++++ | -/+ |
Resting Energy Expenditure | Increased | Decreased |
Anorexia | ++ | + |
Cachexia is a metabolic syndrome associated with underlying illness and is characterized by weight loss and muscle depletion, while sarcopenia is an age-related loss of muscle mass and function. Inflammation is a key feature of cachexia, whereas it is not a prominent factor in sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is more commonly observed in older adults and is associated with decreased muscle function, while cachexia often co-occurs with other medical conditions and is associated with increased functional limitations.
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