ANAEMIA, CHRONIC DISORDER

DESCRIPTION

Anaemia due to chronic inflammation. This is characteristically a

normochromic normocytic anaemia. Common causes of anaemia of chronic disorder include:

» malignancy, e.g. haematological or solid tumours,

» autoimmune disorders, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis,

» acute or chronic infections, e.g. HIV and TB,

» chronic kidney disease, and

» chronic rejection of solid-organ transplantation, etc.

TREATMENT

Treat the underlying condition.

Transfusion is seldom necessary.

Do not treat with iron, folic acid or vitamin B12 unless there is a documented deficiency.

Reference and further reading

Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines List for South Africa 2012 Edition