Anemia - chronic disease

Definition

Chronic anemia develops as a result of extended infection or inflammation.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Certain chronic infections and inflammatory diseases cause several changes in the blood production (hematopoietic) system. These include a slightly shortened red blood cell life span and an isolation of iron in inflammatory cells (macrophages) that result in a decrease in the amount of iron available to make red blood cells. In the presence of these effects, a low-to-moderate grade anemia develops. The symptoms of the anemia may go unnoticed in the face of the primary disease.

Conditions associated with the anemia of infection and chronic inflammatory diseases include the following:

• Chronic bacterial endocarditis
• Osteomyelitis
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
• Rheumatic fever
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis

Chronic renal failure may produce a similar anemia because it causes reduced levels of erythropoietin, the hormone that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Treatment

This type of anemia responds to treatment of the primary disease. It is rarely severe enough to require blood transfusion.

Expectations (prognosis)

With successful treatment of the primary disease, the anemia will resolve.

Complications

Discomfort from symptoms is the primary complication of most cases.

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have a chronic disorder and you develop symptoms of anemia.

Prevention

Treatment of the underlying disease can prevent or reverse the anemia. Chronic diseases such as Crohn's disease are difficult to treat, and patients may exhibit intermittent anemia that varies with their condition.

Illustrations

Blood cells

Page Content:

Anemia of inflammation