Anemia

Anemia of Chronic Disease

(synonyms: ACD)

In some cases, patients may seek treatment because of fatigue and other symptoms of anemia only to find out through the diagnostic process that they have a more complex health problem. Many chronic medical conditions can cause anemia. Some of the more common causes include:

• Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, temporal arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease) or other inflammatory conditions
• Chronic infections such as osteomyelitis
• Many types of cancer such as Hodgkin's disease

Hematologists at Mayo Clinic work with other specialists to diagnose and treat patients with chronic conditions that can be associated with anemia of chronic disease. In many cases, the anemia and associated symptoms go away when doctors treat the underlying condition successfully.

Occasionally, treatment may also require the use of erythropoeitin (EPO), a synthetic form of a natural hormone normally produced by the kidneys. EPO is often reduced in patients with anemia of chronic disease, and replacement by subcutaneous injections may help.