Anemia

[Guest guest]

" A mild anemia with hematocrit values in the range of 30 - 34% occurs in

approximately 25 to 35% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In most

cases, the reduced red cell mass is caused by the anemia of chronic

disease, a normocytic-normochromic process characterized by a low

concentration of serum iron, a low serum iron-binding capacity, and a

normal or increased serum ferritin concentration. However, occasionally

true iron deficiency anemia can develop secondary to intercurrent blood

loss often from gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding due to NSAIDS. The

inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis inhibits erythropoiesis, making it

difficult to differentiate anemia secondary to chronic blood loss, from

the anemia of chronic disease, without an iron stain of the bone marrow.

Patients should be monitored closely for symptoms of GI bleeding and

consideration must also be given to other causes of GI blood loss such

as colonic lesions. "

Source:

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.som.jhmi.edu/rheumatoid/rheum_clin_pres.html

The Anemia Lifeline:

http://www.anemia.com/index.html

DrDoc Online:

http://www.arthritis.co.za/raanemia.html

" Normocytic Anemia " from the American Academy of Family Physicians:

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20001115/2255.html

" Anemia and Rheumatoid Arthritis " :

http://www.anemia.org/pdf/mon_Anemia_and_RA.pdf