Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Emaciation (2025)

Emaciation is a clinical manifestation caused by multiple factors, characterized by its complex etiology and wide range of associated diseases, posing significant challenges for healthcare professionals in terms of evaluation and management. Its intrinsic linkage to aging-related comorbidities and the imperative for multidisciplinary collaboration further underscore the necessity and urgency of establishing standardized diagnostic and therapeutic consensus guidelines. This consensus provides a comprehensive overview of the definition, epidemiology, etiology, and pathogenesis of emaciation. It systematically outlines diagnostic approaches, including detailed history-taking, physical examinations, and auxiliary tests. Furthermore, it elaborates on treatment principles and measures, as well as management strategies tailored for specific populations. Emphasis is placed on the importance of community-based management, encompassing follow-up, referral systems, three-level prevention strategies, and health education. The consensus aims to enhance clinicians' capabilities in diagnosing and managing emaciation, improve patients' quality of life, and reduce the healthcare and economic burden on families and society.