title: The diagnostic spectrum of unintentional weight loss.
abstract: Significant and documented involuntary weight loss in adults frequently poses a diagnostic challenge to the clinician. We summarize published series on the etiologies and the outcomes of involuntary weight loss and use these data to formulate a proposal for a diagnostic work-up. Simple, non-invasive screening tests, embarking from thorough history-taking and clinical examination, are advocated first. Additional testing should be directed towards areas of concern raised by this initial evaluation. If a well-thought-out baseline examination is reassuring and fails to provide further clues, a strategy of watchful waiting with close clinical follow-up is preferred to a blind pursuit of additional, more invasive, or expensive investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, KULeuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vanderschueren
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Geens
authors.forename: Daniël
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Knockaert
authors.forename: Herman
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bobbaers