CRP and anemia: According to a consensus panel, cachexia should be diagnosed when, in the presence of an underlying disease, there is a weight loss of at least 5% in 12 months or less associated with any 3 of the following criteria: decreased muscle strength, fatigue, anorexia, low fat-free mass index, increased inflammatory markers such as C Reactive Protein (CRP >5.0 mg/L) or interleukin (IL)-6 (>4.0 pg/ml), anemia (Hb <12 g/dl) or low serum albumin (<3.2 g/dl) [6].