ArticleDiagnosis (Berlin, Germany)2023
Recognition, diagnostic practices, and cancer outcomes among patients with unintentional weight loss (UWL) in primary care.
Article in Diagnosis (Berlin, Germany), 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 5 citations in OpenAlex.
- Undetected Weight Loss Associates With Upstaging in Cancer Patients.Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle · 2026Article
- Clinical Decision Support Tool for Early Pancreatic Cancer Detection in Primary Care: Simulation Study.JMIR formative research · 2026Article
- Evaluating a Clinical Decision Support Tool for Cancer Risk Assessment in Primary Care: Simulation Study of Unintended Weight Loss.JMIR formative research · 2025Article
- A scoping review of unexpected weight loss and cancer: risk, guidelines, and recommendations for follow-up in primary care.BJGP open · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
objectivesIdentify the incidence, rate of physician recognition, diagnostic practices and cancer outcomes for unintentional weight loss (UWL).
methodsWe completed a secondary analysis of structured and unstructured EHR data collected from adult patients between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021. We used four common definitions to define UWL, excluding patients with known causes of weight loss, intentional weight loss, and pregnancy. Unstructured physicians' notes were used to identify both intentional weight loss (e.g. dieting) as well as physician recognition of UWL. Cancer outcomes were identified within 12 months of UWL using diagnostic codes. Physician actions (lab tests, etc.) in response to UWL were identified through manual chart review.
resultsAmong 29,494 established primary care patients with a minimum of two weight measurements in 2020 and in 2021, we identified 290 patients who met one or more criteria for UWL (1 %). UWL was recognized by physicians in only 60 (21 %). UWL was more common and more likely to be recognized among older patients. Diagnostic practices were quite variable. A complete blood count, complete metabolic profile, and thyroid stimulating hormone level were the three most common tests ordered in response to UWL. Five patients were diagnosed with cancer within 12 months of UWL (3 in whom UWL was recognized; two in whom it was not.).
conclusionsUnintentional weight loss is poorly recognized across a diverse range of patients. A lack of research-informed guidance may explain both low rates of recognition and variability in diagnostic practices.
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