Abstract
There is now a large body of evidence that weight loss in older persons not only increases mortality, but also increases the incidence of hip fracture, functional deterioration and institutionalization. Weight loss is a central component of frailty. There is evidence that it is not only muscle, but also fat loss that leads to these deleterious effects. The reasons why fat loss can be harmful in older persons are reviewed. There are four major causes of weight loss in older persons viz. anorexia, sarcopenia, cachexia and dehydration. This review concentrates on the major causes of anorexia and sarcopenia. In particular, the emergence of new medications such as selective androgen receptor molecules, antimyostatin analogues, megestrol acetate (nanocrystal formulation), and ghrelin agonists are reviewed. The potential role of anabolic steroids is also discussed.
Keywords: Weight loss, frailty, anorexia, sarcopenia, cachexia, new medications
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Weight Loss in Older Persons: New Therapeutic Approaches
Volume: 13 Issue: 35
Author(s): John E. Morley
Affiliation:
Keywords: Weight loss, frailty, anorexia, sarcopenia, cachexia, new medications
Abstract: There is now a large body of evidence that weight loss in older persons not only increases mortality, but also increases the incidence of hip fracture, functional deterioration and institutionalization. Weight loss is a central component of frailty. There is evidence that it is not only muscle, but also fat loss that leads to these deleterious effects. The reasons why fat loss can be harmful in older persons are reviewed. There are four major causes of weight loss in older persons viz. anorexia, sarcopenia, cachexia and dehydration. This review concentrates on the major causes of anorexia and sarcopenia. In particular, the emergence of new medications such as selective androgen receptor molecules, antimyostatin analogues, megestrol acetate (nanocrystal formulation), and ghrelin agonists are reviewed. The potential role of anabolic steroids is also discussed.
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Cite this article as:
Morley E. John, Weight Loss in Older Persons: New Therapeutic Approaches, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2007; 13 (35) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782794149
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161207782794149 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
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