appetite disorder

Introduction

Appetite disorders are manifested as eating disorders.

Also see eating disorder

Etiology

• major depression may play a role Epidemiolgy:
• loss of appetite is common in the elderly

Complications

• malnutrition, sarcopenia & frailty

Management

• hypophagia (loss of appetite)
  • no effective clinical interventions exist
  • appetite stimulants (despite lack of efficacy)
    • mirtazapine 7.5-45 mg PO QHS may treat major depression
    • megestrol
      • increases appetite & fat deposition
      • does not increase muscle mass
      • benefit has not been demonstrated
    • dronabinol 2.5-10 mg PO QD
      • may cause somnolence & disphoria in elderly

More general terms

• nutritional disorder (malnutrition)

More specific terms

• hyperphagia
• hypophagia; loss of appetite

Additional terms

• appetite
• eating disorder