Anemia of Chronic Diseases

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the etiology and clinicohematological profile of patients with anemia of chronic disease. Patients and Method: Patients with anemia of chronic disease were included. All underwent bone marrow examination, and bone marrow trephine biopsy, where required. Etiology was elucidated on the basis of clinical history and relevant investigations. Diagnosis of anemia of chronic disease was based on increased iron in fragments with decreased or absent siderocytes and sideroblasts Results: Definitive cause of anemia was not ascertained in 57.1%. In the rest of the cases tuberculosis (17.1%) was the commonest. Majority of the patients (54.3%) were more than 60 years of age. Fever (51.4%) was the commonest complaint. Severe anemia was found in 25.8%. Bone marrow iron stain revealed increased iron in stores with absent siderocytes and sideroblasts Conclusion: A high number of unexplained cases (57.1%) highlights the need to characterize the causes of anemia of chronic disease as treatment of underlying disease will actually improve the hemoglobin concentration in these patients.