Exploring autonomic nervous system dysfunction in patients with cancer cachexia: a pilot study.

Introduction: Abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) have been associated with cachexia.

Methods: In nine cancer patients who had lost weight and nine age-matched healthy volunteers heart rate variability (HRV) components were determined, together with serum cortisol and urinary catecholamines/metanephrines.

Results: Compared to volunteers, patients exhibited a global reduction in HRV parameters, significantly so for high frequency, low frequency and total power (median values ms(2) 103 vs.