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Differential diagnosis
A 2 step procedure determined diagnosis in patients with unexplained weight loss

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ebm.6.5.160

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    (2001) J Int Med 249, 41. Lankisch PG, Gerzmann M, Gerzmann JF, et al.. Unintentional weight loss: diagnosis and prognosis. The first prospective follow-up study from a secondary referral centre.. Jan;. :. –6.
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 QUESTION: In patients admitted to hospital with unexplained weight loss (≥5% of usual body weight), what are the relative frequencies of different causes?

    Design

    Cohort study with a mean follow up of 22 months.

    Setting

    A secondary referral centre in Lüneburg County, Germany.

    Patients

    158 patients who were ≥18 years of age (mean age 68 y, 56% women) and had a weight loss of ≥5% of usual body weight ≤6 months before being admitted to hospital. Exclusion criteria were weight loss from a known cause or voluntary weight loss. Follow up was complete.

    Diagnostic strategy

    A 2 step diagnostic procedure was followed. While in the hospital, all patients received the first step: history and …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding: not stated.

    • For correspondence: Dr P G Lankisch, Medizinische Klinik, Staedtisches Klinikum Lüneburg, Boegelstrasse 1, D 21339 Lüneburg, Germany. Fax +49 4131 772 245.