Anemia, as a result of chronic disease

Description of anemia in chronic diseases

Certain chronic diseases, such as cancer and infectious and inflammatory diseases, can lead to the development of anemia. Anemia is a disease blood, emerging, when the blood contains abnormally low levels of red blood cells.

With anemia of chronic diseases (AHZ), the body is unable to efficiently use iron to make new red blood cells, although iron levels in body tissues are normal. As a result,, the number of healthy red blood cells gradually drops. The same way, hemoglobin level, a component of red blood cells, which carries oxygen to tissues and muscles, also decreases. Although ACD is the second most common form of anemia, it rarely causes serious complications.

Causes of anemia in chronic diseases

The following diseases contribute to the occurrence of anemia:

• Chronic infections, such as tuberculosis, lung abscess, and more severe endocarditis;
• Non-infectious inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteomyelitis, lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease;
• Common childhood infections, including ear infections and urinary tract infections;
• Congestive heart failure, thyroid disease, and renal failure;
• Cancer, in particular, Hodgkin's disease, lung cancer and breast cancer.

Risk factors

Anyone of any age with chronic inflammatory or infectious disease may be at risk for ACD, but older people are among those, who is most at risk.

Symptoms of anemia in chronic diseases

ACP usually develops slowly, almost no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they, usually, have a light shape. Symptoms include:

• A pale complexion, dizziness, fatigue, cardiopalmus;
• Infection, fever (in a mild form).

Diagnosis of anemia in chronic diseases

The doctor is interested in symptoms and medical history, in particular, the presence of chronic inflammatory or infectious diseases or cancer, and performs a physical exam. Blood tests are performed, reviewers:

• Erythrocyte level;
• Hemoglobin level;
• Iron concentration;
• Ferritin level;
• Transferrin content at receptor level;
• Iron binding capacity of transferrin;
• Full iron binding capacity.

As the level of iron in the bone marrow will be increased, a bone marrow biopsy can be done.

Treatment of anemia in chronic diseases

At AHZ, if the underlying disease is identified and cured, anemia goes away by itself. Iron supplements and vitamins, usually, have no effect.

For severe cases of ACD, blood transfusion may be necessary.

Another type of treatment – taking erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (epoetin and darbepoetin preparations), which stimulate the growth of new red blood cells. These drugs have side effects, which are important to consider before using them. There is some evidence, that erythropoiesis-stimulating agents may shorten survival in cancer patients.

Prevention of anemia in chronic diseases

In the presence of chronic diseases, it is necessary to continue the prescribed treatment and regularly undergo a doctor's examination.