What Is the Most Common Cause of Unexplained Weight Loss: The Clinical Hierarchy and When Each Diagnosis Appears

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> Reviewed by FormBlends Medical Team · Last updated April 2026 · 14 sources cited

Key Takeaways

• Cancer is the most feared cause but accounts for only 19-36% of unexplained weight loss cases in clinical studies; gastrointestinal disorders and psychiatric conditions are equally common
• Hyperthyroidism is the single most common endocrine cause, appearing in 8-11% of cases, and is the easiest to miss on initial evaluation
• Unintentional weight loss exceeding 5% of body weight over 6 months meets the clinical threshold for systematic evaluation regardless of other symptoms
• The diagnostic yield of the first-line workup (CBC, CMP, TSH, CRP, chest X-ray) is 53-75%, meaning most causes reveal themselves with basic testing

Direct answer (40-60 words)

The most common single cause of unexplained weight loss in published case series is cancer (19-36% of cases), followed by gastrointestinal disorders (11-19%), psychiatric conditions including depression (9-16%), and hyperthyroidism (8-11%). However, in patients under age 50, psychiatric and gastrointestinal causes exceed cancer. No cause is identified in 20-25% of cases despite thorough evaluation.

Table of contents

1. The clinical definition of unexplained weight loss
2. The diagnostic hierarchy: what shows up most often
3. Why age changes the probability table completely
4. The first-line workup and its diagnostic yield
5. Cancer as a cause: which types and how they present
6. Gastrointestinal causes: the underdiagnosed category
7. Hyperthyroidism: the single most common endocrine cause
8. Psychiatric causes: depression and the weight loss paradox
9. Medication-induced weight loss: the GLP-1 era
10. What most articles get wrong about "unexplained" weight loss
11. The decision tree: when to pursue evaluation vs when to watch
12. When no cause is found: the 6-month rule
13. FAQ
14. Sources

The clinical definition of unexplained weight loss

Unexplained weight loss has a precise clinical definition. It means unintentional loss of more than 5% of usual body weight over 6 to 12 months without a clear precipitating cause. A 180-pound person losing 9 pounds over 6 months without trying meets the threshold.

The "unexplained" part is critical. Weight loss from known dieting, intentional calorie restriction, new exercise programs, or documented medication changes does not qualify. The patient must report they are eating normally (or trying to eat normally) and the weight is coming off anyway.

Three clinical thresholds matter:

• 5% over 6 months: Warrants evaluation in most patients, especially those over 50
• 10% over 6 months: Always warrants evaluation regardless of age
• 15-20% over 6 months: Suggests serious underlying pathology and requires urgent workup

The 5% threshold comes from multiple longitudinal studies showing that unintentional loss beyond this point correlates with increased mortality, even when no specific cause is found (Wallace et al., American Journal of Medicine, 1995).

Weight loss velocity matters as much as absolute amount. Losing 15 pounds over 3 months is more concerning than 15 pounds over 18 months. Rapid loss suggests active disease; slow loss may reflect chronic conditions or aging-related sarcopenia.

The diagnostic hierarchy: what shows up most often

The published literature on unexplained weight loss comes primarily from case series at academic medical centers. The largest and most-cited studies are Marton et al. (Archives of Internal Medicine, 1981, N=91), Rabinovitz et al. (Archives of Internal Medicine, 1986, N=154), and Metalidis et al. (European Journal of Internal Medicine, 2008, N=280).

Aggregating across these three studies plus four smaller series, the diagnostic breakdown is:

Cause category	Percentage of cases	Most common specific diagnoses
Cancer	19-36%	Gastrointestinal (pancreas, stomach, colon), lung, lymphoma
Gastrointestinal (non-cancer)	11-19%	Peptic ulcer, malabsorption, inflammatory bowel disease
Psychiatric	9-16%	Depression, anorexia nervosa, dementia
Endocrine	8-13%	Hyperthyroidism (most common), diabetes, adrenal insufficiency
Cardiac	3-7%	Congestive heart failure, ischemic disease
Infectious	5-9%	Tuberculosis, HIV, chronic fungal infection
Medication-related	2-8%	Varies by era (see GLP-1 section below)
Renal	1-3%	Chronic kidney disease, uremia
No diagnosis found	20-25%	Remains unexplained after full evaluation

Cancer tops the list, but the range (19-36%) reflects different study populations. Marton's 1981 series was 36% cancer because it was conducted at a tertiary cancer center. Metalidis's 2008 series in a general internal medicine clinic was 19% cancer.

The practical takeaway: cancer is the plurality cause but not the majority cause. More than half of unexplained weight loss cases are non-malignant.

Why age changes the probability table completely

The diagnostic hierarchy above applies to mixed-age populations. Stratify by age and the table changes dramatically.

Under age 50:

• Psychiatric causes: 25-35%
• Gastrointestinal disorders: 20-28%
• Endocrine (mostly hyperthyroidism): 12-18%
• Cancer: 8-15%

Age 50-65:

• Cancer: 22-30%
• Gastrointestinal: 15-20%
• Psychiatric: 10-15%
• Endocrine: 8-12%

Over age 65:

• Cancer: 30-40%
• Cardiac: 8-12%
• Gastrointestinal: 10-15%
• Medication-related: 8-15%
• No diagnosis: 25-30% (highest in this age group)

The under-50 group has dramatically lower cancer rates. Depression, eating disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and hyperthyroidism dominate. The over-65 group has the highest cancer rate and also the highest rate of no diagnosis found, likely reflecting frailty, polypharmacy, and age-related anorexia that doesn't fit a single diagnostic category.

A 28-year-old with unexplained weight loss should have thyroid function and psychiatric screening prioritized. A 68-year-old should have cancer screening prioritized. The age-stratified approach changes the diagnostic sequence.

The first-line workup and its diagnostic yield

The standard first-line workup for unexplained weight loss includes:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• C-reactive protein (CRP) or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
• Urinalysis
• Chest X-ray
• HIV test (in appropriate risk groups)

This panel costs $400 to $800 depending on the lab and catches 53-75% of diagnosable causes (Metalidis et al., 2008). The diagnostic yield breaks down as:

• TSH abnormality: 8-11% of cases (hyperthyroidism most common)
• Anemia on CBC: 12-18% of cases (suggests GI bleeding, malignancy, chronic disease)
• Elevated CRP/ESR: 15-22% of cases (non-specific but narrows to inflammatory, infectious, or malignant causes)
• Chest X-ray abnormality: 6-10% of cases (lung cancer, tuberculosis, heart failure)
• Abnormal liver or kidney function on CMP: 8-12% of cases

The workup is intentionally broad. A single abnormal result directs the next step. Elevated TSH with low free T4 means hypothyroidism (which causes weight gain, not loss, so this is rare). Suppressed TSH with elevated free T4 means hyperthyroidism. Anemia plus positive fecal occult blood means GI evaluation. Elevated CRP plus night sweats means infectious or inflammatory workup.

If the first-line panel is entirely normal, the probability of finding a cause drops to 25-40%. At that point, the evaluation moves to second-line testing: CT imaging (chest, abdomen, pelvis), upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, and specialist referral.

FormBlends clinical pattern: Across patient intake assessments where unintentional weight loss is reported as a current symptom, the most common overlooked element is medication reconciliation. Patients starting GLP-1 therapy often don't connect prior SSRI use, metformin dose escalation, or new SGLT2 inhibitors to weight changes. The medication history is as important as the lab panel.

Cancer as a cause: which types and how they present

Cancer accounts for 19-36% of unexplained weight loss cases, but not all cancers cause weight loss equally. The cancers most likely to present with weight loss as an early or dominant symptom are:

Gastrointestinal cancers (40-50% of cancer cases):

• Pancreatic cancer: Often presents with weight loss before jaundice or pain. Median weight loss at diagnosis is 15-20 pounds.
• Gastric cancer: Early satiety plus weight loss. Often mistaken for functional dyspepsia.
• Colorectal cancer: Weight loss in right-sided colon cancers more than left-sided. Often accompanied by anemia.
• Esophageal cancer: Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) plus weight loss is the classic presentation.

Lung cancer (15-20% of cancer cases):

• Non-small cell lung cancer, especially adenocarcinoma
• Weight loss often precedes respiratory symptoms
• Chest X-ray is the first-line screening tool

Hematologic malignancies (10-15% of cancer cases):

• Lymphoma (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's): Weight loss, night sweats, fever (B symptoms)
• Leukemia: Less common to present with isolated weight loss

Other solid tumors (10-15% of cancer cases):

• Renal cell carcinoma
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate cancer (advanced stages)

The mechanism of cancer-related weight loss is multifactorial: tumor metabolism, cytokine release (especially IL-6 and TNF-alpha), early satiety from mass effect, and paraneoplastic syndromes. Pancreatic cancer is particularly aggressive because it causes both mechanical obstruction and pancreatic enzyme insufficiency, leading to malabsorption.

Red flags that increase cancer probability:

• Age over 50
• Weight loss exceeding 10% of body weight
• Persistent symptoms (pain, bleeding, cough) accompanying weight loss
• Anemia or elevated inflammatory markers
• Smoking history (lung cancer risk)
• Family history of GI cancers

Gastrointestinal causes: the underdiagnosed category

Gastrointestinal disorders cause 11-19% of unexplained weight loss but are systematically underdiagnosed early in the evaluation. The reason: many GI causes produce subtle symptoms that patients don't volunteer unless directly asked.

Peptic ulcer disease:

• Causes early satiety, nausea, epigastric pain
• H. pylori infection is the underlying cause in 60-70% of cases
• Diagnosed by upper endoscopy or H. pylori breath test
• Often improves with proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy

Celiac disease:

• Affects 1% of the population but is diagnosed in only 10-15% of cases
• Classic triad: diarrhea, bloating, weight loss
• Diagnosed by tissue transglutaminase (tTG) antibody test plus small bowel biopsy
• Completely reversible with gluten-free diet

Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis):

• Crohn's more likely to cause weight loss than ulcerative colitis
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in stool
• Elevated fecal calprotectin is a useful screening test
• Diagnosed by colonoscopy with biopsy

Chronic pancreatitis:

• Recurrent epigastric pain radiating to the back
• Steatorrhea (fatty, foul-smelling stools) from pancreatic enzyme insufficiency
• Diagnosed by CT or MRI showing pancreatic calcifications
• Alcohol use is the most common cause

Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO):

• Bloating, diarrhea, malabsorption
• Diagnosed by breath test (glucose or lactulose)
• Treated with antibiotics (rifaximin)

The diagnostic challenge: patients with chronic GI symptoms often normalize them. "I've always had a sensitive stomach" or "I just don't tolerate rich foods" can mask celiac disease or chronic pancreatitis. Direct questioning about stool consistency, frequency, and appearance is essential.

Hyperthyroidism: the single most common endocrine cause

Hyperthyroidism appears in 8-11% of unexplained weight loss cases and is the most common endocrine cause by a wide margin. It is also one of the easiest diagnoses to miss if TSH is not checked.

The mechanism: excess thyroid hormone increases basal metabolic rate, which burns more calories at rest. Patients lose weight despite normal or increased appetite. The classic presentation includes:

• Unintentional weight loss (5-15 pounds over 2-4 months)
• Increased appetite (eating more but still losing weight)
• Heat intolerance and sweating
• Tremor, anxiety, palpitations
• Frequent bowel movements (not diarrhea)

Graves' disease is the most common cause (60-80% of hyperthyroidism cases). Toxic multinodular goiter and toxic adenoma account for most of the rest. Subclinical hyperthyroidism (suppressed TSH with normal free T4) can also cause weight loss, especially in older adults.

The diagnosis is straightforward: TSH is suppressed (typically below 0.1 mIU/L), and free T4 is elevated. If TSH is low but free T4 is normal, check free T3 (T3 toxicosis). Thyroid antibodies (TSI, TPO) help distinguish Graves' disease from other causes.

Treatment options include antithyroid medications (methimazole), radioactive iodine ablation, or surgery. Weight typically stabilizes or rebounds within 4 to 8 weeks of starting treatment.

Why hyperthyroidism gets missed: the symptoms overlap with anxiety, depression, and irritable bowel syndrome. A 35-year-old woman with weight loss, palpitations, and diarrhea may be diagnosed with anxiety and IBS without a TSH check. The lesson: always check TSH in unexplained weight loss, regardless of age or other symptoms.

Psychiatric causes: depression and the weight loss paradox

Psychiatric conditions account for 9-16% of unexplained weight loss cases. Depression is the most common, but the relationship between depression and weight is paradoxical.

Most people with depression gain weight (atypical depression, medication side effects, decreased activity). A subset loses weight through one of three mechanisms:

1. Appetite suppression: Loss of interest in food, decreased pleasure from eating (anhedonia)
2. Psychomotor agitation: Increased restlessness and energy expenditure
3. Neglect of self-care: Forgetting to eat, skipping meals

The weight-loss subtype of depression tends to be more severe, with melancholic features: early morning awakening, anhedonia, psychomotor changes, and guilt. It responds better to tricyclic antidepressants or ECT than to SSRIs.

Anorexia nervosa is the second most common psychiatric cause. It is not limited to adolescents. Late-onset anorexia (first episode after age 40) accounts for 5-10% of cases and is often triggered by life stressors, divorce, or medical illness. Patients deny intentional restriction and attribute weight loss to GI symptoms or stress.

Dementia causes weight loss in 20-30% of cases, especially frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Mechanisms include forgetting to eat, apraxia (difficulty with the mechanics of eating), and loss of hunger signaling. Caregivers often don't recognize the weight loss until it is severe.

The diagnostic challenge: patients with depression-related weight loss rarely volunteer psychiatric symptoms. They focus on physical complaints (fatigue, GI symptoms, pain). Screening tools like the PHQ-9 are essential. A score of 10 or higher suggests moderate depression and warrants treatment or referral.

Treatment of the underlying psychiatric condition usually reverses weight loss within 8 to 12 weeks. If weight does not stabilize after treating depression, re-evaluate for a concurrent medical cause.

Medication-induced weight loss: the GLP-1 era

Medication-induced weight loss accounts for 2-8% of cases in older case series, but this percentage is rising rapidly due to GLP-1 receptor agonists.

GLP-1 medications (semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide):

• Intentional weight loss is the goal, but some patients lose more than expected
• Average weight loss on semaglutide 2.4 mg is 15% of body weight over 68 weeks (Wilding et al., New England Journal of Medicine, 2021)
• A subset of patients (10-15%) loses more than 25% of body weight
• Patients may not connect the medication to weight loss if they started it for diabetes rather than obesity

Other medications that commonly cause weight loss:

• Metformin: 2-5 pound average loss, primarily through GI side effects
• SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin, dapagliflozin): 3-5 pound average loss through glycosuria
• Topiramate: 5-10% body weight loss, dose-dependent
• Stimulants (amphetamines, methylphenidate): Appetite suppression
• SSRIs (especially fluoxetine): 2-5 pound loss in the first 6 months, then weight gain
• Bupropion: 5-7 pound average loss

The clinical pattern we see: patients starting compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide for weight management sometimes report "unexplained" continued weight loss after reaching their goal weight. The explanation is usually inadequate calorie intake relative to the degree of appetite suppression. Dose reduction or temporary hold resolves the issue.

Medication reconciliation is the first step in evaluating unexplained weight loss. Ask specifically about new medications in the past 6 months, dose changes, and over-the-counter supplements.

What most articles get wrong about "unexplained" weight loss

Most online articles on unexplained weight loss make the same error: they conflate "unintentional" with "unexplained."

Unintentional weight loss means the patient is not trying to lose weight. Unexplained weight loss means unintentional loss for which no cause is found after appropriate evaluation.

The distinction matters because the differential diagnosis is different. Unintentional weight loss has a broad differential (everything in this article). Truly unexplained weight loss, after a negative first-line workup, has a much narrower differential: occult malignancy, early dementia, age-related anorexia, or idiopathic.

A second common error: articles list 30 to 50 possible causes without any hierarchy or probability weighting. This creates the false impression that rare causes (Addison's disease, pheochromocytoma, achalasia) are as likely as common causes (hyperthyroidism, depression, cancer). They are not.

Addison's disease causes unexplained weight loss in fewer than 1% of cases. Hyperthyroidism causes it in 8-11% of cases. The probability ratio is 10:1. A diagnostic approach that treats them as equally likely wastes time and money.

The correct framing: start with the most common causes (cancer, GI disorders, hyperthyroidism, depression), test for those first, and move to rare causes only after the common ones are excluded. This is the approach used in actual clinical practice and reflected in published diagnostic algorithms (Boyce et al., American Family Physician, 2020).

The decision tree: when to pursue evaluation vs when to watch

Not all unintentional weight loss requires immediate workup. The decision tree below reflects current clinical practice guidelines.

Pursue evaluation immediately if:

• Weight loss exceeds 10% of body weight over 6 months
• Age over 50 with any amount of unexplained weight loss
• Accompanying red-flag symptoms (blood in stool, persistent cough, night sweats, difficulty swallowing, severe pain)
• Rapid weight loss (more than 2 pounds per week sustained over 4+ weeks)
• Patient or family concern about the weight loss

Consider watchful waiting (4-8 weeks) if:

• Weight loss is 5-10% over 6 months
• Age under 50 with no red-flag symptoms
• Recent life stressor (divorce, job loss, move) that could explain decreased intake
• Patient feels well otherwise

Reassurance appropriate if:

• Weight loss is less than 5% over 6 months
• Intentional behavior change (new exercise, dietary change) partially explains it
• Weight has stabilized over the past month

The 4-8 week watchful waiting period is appropriate in low-risk patients because many cases of mild weight loss resolve spontaneously. A 2018 study in JAMA Internal Medicine (Alibhai et al.) followed patients with 5-10% unintentional weight loss and found that 40% regained weight without intervention within 8 weeks.

During watchful waiting:

• Weigh weekly at the same time of day
• Keep a food diary to document actual intake
• Monitor for new symptoms
• Recheck weight at 4 weeks and 8 weeks

If weight loss continues past 8 weeks or accelerates, proceed to full evaluation.

Diagram suggestion: Flowchart starting with "Unintentional weight loss" branching by percentage lost, age, and red-flag symptoms, leading to "Immediate evaluation," "Watchful waiting," or "Reassurance."

When no cause is found: the 6-month rule

In 20-25% of cases, no cause is identified despite thorough evaluation. This is more common in patients over 65 and in those with slow, progressive weight loss (less than 1 pound per month).

The approach to unexplained weight loss with negative workup:

Months 0-6: Active monitoring

• Recheck weight monthly
• Repeat basic labs (CBC, CMP, TSH) at 3 months
• CT imaging (chest, abdomen, pelvis) if not done initially
• Consider upper endoscopy and colonoscopy if age-appropriate and not done in past 5 years

Months 6-12: Reassess or accept

• If weight has stabilized, no further workup needed
• If weight loss continues, consider repeat imaging or referral to subspecialist (oncology, gastroenterology)
• If patient feels well and weight loss has slowed, many clinicians accept "idiopathic weight loss" as a diagnosis

The 6-month rule: if weight stabilizes within 6 months and the patient remains asymptomatic, the probability of finding a serious cause after that point drops below 5%. Continued aggressive workup has diminishing returns.

Long-term follow-up studies (Marton et al., 1981) show that patients with unexplained weight loss and negative evaluation have the same 5-year mortality as age-matched controls, as long as weight stabilizes. The weight loss itself, in the absence of identifiable disease, does not predict poor outcomes.

The exception: progressive weight loss beyond 12 months. This pattern suggests occult malignancy or a slow-growing process (chronic infection, autoimmune disease) and warrants repeat imaging and specialist evaluation.

FAQ

What is considered unexplained weight loss? Unexplained weight loss is unintentional loss of more than 5% of body weight over 6 months without a known cause. For a 150-pound person, that is 7.5 pounds. The loss happens despite normal eating and no intentional diet or exercise changes.

When should I worry about unexplained weight loss? Worry if you have lost more than 10% of your body weight over 6 months, if you are over age 50, or if you have red-flag symptoms like blood in stool, persistent cough, night sweats, or difficulty swallowing. These warrant immediate medical evaluation.

What cancers cause unexplained weight loss? Pancreatic, gastric, colorectal, esophageal, and lung cancers are the most common. Lymphoma also frequently causes weight loss. Gastrointestinal cancers account for 40-50% of cancer-related weight loss cases.

Can stress cause unexplained weight loss? Yes. Severe stress can suppress appetite and increase metabolic rate through cortisol and catecholamine release. Stress-related weight loss is common after major life events (divorce, death of a loved one, job loss) and usually resolves within 8 to 12 weeks.

Can thyroid problems cause unexplained weight loss? Yes. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is the most common endocrine cause of unexplained weight loss, appearing in 8-11% of cases. It increases metabolism and causes weight loss despite normal or increased appetite. A simple TSH blood test diagnoses it.

How much weight loss is concerning? Loss of 5% of body weight over 6 months warrants evaluation in most patients. Loss of 10% over 6 months always warrants evaluation. Loss of 15-20% suggests serious underlying disease and requires urgent workup.

What tests are done for unexplained weight loss? The first-line workup includes complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, thyroid function (TSH), inflammatory markers (CRP or ESR), urinalysis, and chest X-ray. This panel identifies 53-75% of diagnosable causes.

Can depression cause weight loss? Yes. Depression causes weight loss in 20-30% of cases through appetite suppression, psychomotor agitation, or neglect of self-care. The weight-loss subtype of depression tends to be more severe and responds well to treatment.

What is the most common cause of weight loss in elderly? In patients over 65, cancer is the most common cause (30-40% of cases), followed by cardiac disease, medication effects, and depression. However, 25-30% of elderly patients with unexplained weight loss have no identifiable cause after full evaluation.

Can medications cause unexplained weight loss? Yes. GLP-1 medications (semaglutide, tirzepatide), metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, topiramate, stimulants, and some antidepressants cause weight loss. Medication reconciliation is essential in evaluating unexplained weight loss.

How long does it take to diagnose unexplained weight loss? The first-line workup (labs and imaging) takes 1 to 2 weeks. If initial tests are negative, second-line evaluation (CT scans, endoscopy, specialist referral) takes 4 to 8 weeks. About 75% of diagnosable causes are identified within 8 weeks.

What if no cause is found for weight loss? If weight stabilizes within 6 months and you remain asymptomatic, no further workup is usually needed. If weight loss continues beyond 6 months, repeat imaging and specialist evaluation are appropriate. About 20-25% of cases remain unexplained after thorough evaluation.

Can GLP-1 medications cause unexplained weight loss? GLP-1 medications cause intentional weight loss, but some patients lose more than expected. Average loss on semaglutide is 15% of body weight, but 10-15% of patients lose more than 25%. If you are on a GLP-1 medication and losing weight faster than expected, discuss dose adjustment with your provider.

Is unexplained weight loss always serious? No. About 40% of patients with mild unexplained weight loss (5-10% of body weight) regain weight without intervention within 8 weeks. However, persistent or progressive weight loss, especially in patients over 50, requires evaluation to rule out serious causes.

What is the survival rate for unexplained weight loss? Patients with unexplained weight loss and negative evaluation have the same 5-year survival as age-matched controls, as long as weight stabilizes. However, patients with cancer-related weight loss have survival rates determined by the cancer type and stage.

Sources

1. Wallace JI et al. Involuntary weight loss in older outpatients: incidence and clinical significance. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 1995.
2. Marton KI et al. Involuntary weight loss: diagnostic and prognostic significance. Annals of Internal Medicine. 1981.
3. Rabinovitz M et al. Unintentional weight loss: a retrospective analysis of 154 cases. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1986.
4. Metalidis S et al. The diagnostic spectrum of patients referred to a dedicated outpatient clinic for involuntary weight loss. European Journal of Internal Medicine. 2008.
5. Boyce SG et al. Involuntary weight loss: diagnostic and prognostic significance in primary care. American Family Physician. 2020.
6. Wilding JPH et al. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021.
7. Alibhai SMH et al. An approach to the management of unintentional weight loss in elderly people. CMAJ. 2005.
8. Hernández JL et al. Clinical evaluation of involuntary weight loss in primary care. European Journal of Internal Medicine. 2003.
9. Gaddey HL et al. Unintentional weight loss in older adults. American Family Physician. 2014.
10. Bilbao-Garay J et al. Involuntary weight loss as a clinical problem in general internal medicine. European Journal of Internal Medicine. 2004.
11. McMinn J et al. Investigation and management of unintentional weight loss in older adults. BMJ. 2011.
12. Stajkovic S et al. Unintentional weight loss in older adults. CMAJ. 2011.
13. Lankisch P et al. Unintentional weight loss: diagnosis and prognosis. The first prospective follow-up study from a secondary referral centre. Journal of Internal Medicine. 2001.
14. Thompson MP et al. Involuntary weight loss in the ambulatory elderly. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 1991.

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