Anemia of Chronic Diseases

Abstract

Anemia of chronic diseases (ACD) refers to a group of anemias arising in various infl ammatory infections, autoimmune or tumor diseases due to acute or chronic immune activation. ACD ranks second in incidence after iron defi ciency anemia (IDA). Within the variety of pathogenetic mechanisms one of the primary ones is hepcidin synthesis in hepatocytes, which blocks iron absorption in the intestine and contributes to its deposition in cells of the monocyte-macrophage system. Besides, excessive cytokines in such diseases and pathologies lead to lower eryth ropoietin production which does not correspond to the severity grade of anemia. This results in impaired erythropoiesis in the bone marrow. The diff erential diagnosis should also specify iron defi ciency type (the abs olute one in IDA and the functional one in ACD). The eff ective treatment of the main disease and anemia correction speed up the improvement of patient s status, rehabilitation, and quali ty of life.