Nutritional abnormalities contributing to cachexia in chronic illness.

Cachexia is a common consequence of chronic illness. The nutritional abnormalities contributing to the clinical picture are often a composite of reduced appetite, dietary factors including protein, energy and micronutrient intake, malabsorption and increased consumption or loss of nutrients. In this article, using chronic heart failure as an example, we have reviewed the potential influences of chronic disease on each of these and how they might lead to the relentless progression of wasting and the poor prognosis associated with it.