Understanding Decreased Appetite (Loss of Appetite, Anorexia non-psychological): This resource provides information on diagnosing and documenting decreased appetite for healthcare professionals. Learn about clinical signs, symptoms, associated medical codes, and differential diagnosis considerations for loss of appetite in a clinical setting. Explore resources for accurate medical coding and improved clinical documentation of anorexia non-psychological.
Also known as
Anorexia
Lack or loss of appetite.
Other specified feeding problems
Includes abnormal feeding behaviors not elsewhere classified.
Falls
Decreased appetite can be a symptom following a fall, especially in the elderly.
Malaise and fatigue
General weakness and discomfort can accompany loss of appetite.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the decreased appetite due to a mental disorder (e.g., anorexia nervosa)?
Yes
Code the underlying mental disorder. Do NOT code R63.0.
No
Is the decreased appetite due to a medical condition (e.g., cancer)?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Reduced desire to eat. |
| Complete loss of appetite. |
| Aversion to food. |
Miscoding anorexia without specifying non-psychological type can lead to incorrect clinical interpretation and impact quality reporting.
Decreased appetite may be a symptom. Coding it as a primary diagnosis without underlying cause can trigger audits and denials.
Insufficient documentation of decreased appetite details (duration, severity) can lead to coding queries and compliance issues during audits.
Q: What are the most common differential diagnoses to consider when a patient presents with unexplained decreased appetite in adults?
A: Unexplained decreased appetite in adults can be a complex symptom with a broad differential diagnosis. Clinicians should systematically consider gastrointestinal causes such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastroparesis, as well as systemic illnesses like infections (e.g., tuberculosis, HIV), endocrine disorders (e.g., hypothyroidism, adrenal insufficiency), chronic kidney disease, and heart failure. Medications are another common culprit; certain antibiotics, analgesics, and chemotherapy drugs can significantly impact appetite. Psychological factors such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders should also be on the differential, though the focus here is on non-psychological anorexia. Lastly, malignancy, especially of the gastrointestinal tract, must be considered. Explore how a comprehensive patient history and targeted diagnostic testing can help narrow down the cause of decreased appetite effectively.
Q: How can I differentiate between benign causes of loss of appetite and more serious underlying medical conditions in an older adult patient?
A: Differentiating between benign and serious causes of loss of appetite in older adults requires careful clinical judgment. Begin by conducting a thorough review of medications, considering polypharmacy as a potential contributing factor. Age-related changes in taste and smell can also decrease appetite, as can social isolation and difficulty with meal preparation. However, red flags like unintentional weight loss, new or worsening dysphagia, abdominal pain, or fatigue warrant further investigation. Consider implementing a nutritional assessment to evaluate the severity of the appetite loss and screen for potential nutrient deficiencies. Further workup might include blood tests, imaging studies, or endoscopic procedures to rule out serious conditions like cancer, infections, or gastrointestinal disorders. Learn more about evidence-based geriatric nutritional assessment tools and their role in managing decreased appetite.
Patient presents with decreased appetite, also documented as loss of appetite or anorexia (non-psychological), impacting nutritional intake. Onset of this appetite suppression is noted as [Date of onset/duration]. Patient reports [Specific symptoms related to decreased appetite, e.g., feeling full quickly, lack of interest in food, nausea associated with eating]. Associated symptoms include [List associated symptoms, e.g., weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, altered bowel habits]. Patient denies any history of eating disorders or psychological factors contributing to appetite loss. Medical history includes [Relevant medical history, e.g., recent infection, chronic disease, medication changes]. Current medications include [List current medications]. Physical examination reveals [Relevant physical exam findings, e.g., abdominal tenderness, signs of dehydration, weight change from baseline]. Differential diagnosis includes [Potential underlying medical conditions, e.g., gastrointestinal disorders, infections, malignancy, medication side effects]. Plan includes [Diagnostic workup, e.g., laboratory tests, imaging studies], nutritional assessment with referral to a registered dietitian as needed, and further investigation to determine underlying etiology. Patient education provided on importance of adequate nutrition and strategies for managing decreased appetite, including small frequent meals, nutritional supplements, and addressing any underlying medical conditions. Follow-up scheduled in [Timeframe] to reassess appetite, nutritional status, and review diagnostic results. ICD-10 code R63.0 (Anorexia) considered pending further evaluation. This documentation supports medical necessity for evaluation and management services related to decreased appetite and potential underlying medical conditions.