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Anemia of chronic disease

Anemia of inflammation; Inflammatory anemia; AOCD; ACD; Anemia of chronic inflammation

Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. There are many types of anemia.

Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is anemia that is found in people with certain long-term (chronic) medical conditions that involve inflammation.

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Causes

Anemia is a lower-than-normal number of red blood cells in the blood. ACD is a common cause of anemia. Some conditions that can lead to ACD include:

Symptoms

Anemia of chronic disease is often mild. You may not notice any symptoms.

When symptoms occur, they may include:

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider will perform a physical exam.

Anemia may be the first symptom of a serious illness, so finding its cause is very important.

Tests that may be done to diagnose anemia or rule out other causes include:

Treatment

Anemia is often mild enough that it does not need treatment. It may get better when the disease that is causing it is treated.

More severe anemia, such as that caused by cancer or HIV/AIDS may require:

Outlook (Prognosis)

The anemia will improve when the disease that is causing it is treated.

Possible Complications

Discomfort from symptoms is the main complication in most cases. Anemia may lead to a higher risk for death in people with heart failure.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if you have a long-term (chronic) disorder and you develop symptoms of anemia.

Related Information

Chronic
Anemia
Osteomyelitis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Rheumatic fever
Crohn disease
Ulcerative colitis
Chronic kidney disease
Erythropoietin test

References

Elghetany MT, Banki K. Erythrocytic disorders. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 33.

Ginzburg YZ. Anemia of chronic inflammation. In: Hoffman R, Benz EJ, Silberstein LE, et al, eds. Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 38.

Means RT. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 144.

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Review Date: 3/31/2024  

Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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