Differential Diagnosis for Normocytic Anemia and Back Pain
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): Normocytic anemia is a common finding in CKD due to decreased erythropoietin production. Back pain can be associated with CKD due to renal osteodystrophy or bone disease.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Multiple Myeloma: A plasma cell disorder that can cause normocytic anemia due to bone marrow infiltration and back pain due to lytic bone lesions.
- Metastatic Cancer: Various cancers can metastasize to the bone, causing back pain and normocytic anemia due to bone marrow infiltration.
- Chronic Infections (e.g., Tuberculosis, Osteomyelitis): Chronic infections can cause normocytic anemia and back pain due to inflammation and bone involvement.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Spinal Cord Compression: A medical emergency that can cause back pain and normocytic anemia due to compression of the spinal cord, often secondary to metastatic cancer or vertebral fractures.
- Multiple Myeloma with Spinal Cord Compression: A specific subtype of multiple myeloma that requires urgent attention to prevent permanent neurological damage.
- Vertebral Osteomyelitis: A rare but serious infection of the vertebral bones that can cause back pain and normocytic anemia, requiring prompt antibiotic treatment.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Lymphoma: A type of cancer that can cause normocytic anemia and back pain due to bone marrow infiltration or lymph node involvement.
- Sickle Cell Disease: A genetic disorder that can cause normocytic anemia and back pain due to vaso-occlusive crises or bone infarcts.
- Gaucher's Disease: A rare genetic disorder that can cause normocytic anemia and back pain due to bone marrow infiltration and skeletal involvement.