Anemia of chronic disease

Question 1

Anemia of chronic disease is most common in ___________ patients

Answer 1

hospitalized

Question 2

What are the characteristic features of anemia of chronic disease?

Answer 2

Reduced proliferation of erythroid precursors

Impaired iron utilization

Question 3

How does systemic inflammation produce anemia?

Answer 3

IL-6 increases hepcidin production that has two effects.

1. Impaired iron absorption and release due to inhibition of ferroportin.
2. Hepcidin suppresses erythropoietin production.

Question 4

What are the three main causes of anemia due to chronic disease?

Answer 4

Chronic microbial infection (endocarditis)
Chronic immune disorder (SLE, rheumatoid arthritis)
Carcinomas (lung or breast cancer)

Question 5

What are the iron profiles in this type of anemia?

Answer 5

Low serum iron
Low TIBC
High ferritin

Question 6

What is the reason for iron sequestration produced by hepcidin?

Answer 6

Some bacteria require iron for pathogenicity

Question 7

What are the characteristics of red blood cells in anemia of chronic disease?

Answer 7

Normocytic and normochromic

Microcytic and hypochromic