From the Guidelines
Anemia is a medical condition characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood, resulting in reduced oxygen-carrying capacity, and can be evaluated using morphologic and kinetic approaches. According to the study published in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network 1, anemia can be classified into three main categories based on the mean corpuscular volume (MCV): microcytic, normocytic, and macrocytic.
Causes of Anemia
- Microcytic anemia is most commonly caused by iron deficiency, but can also be caused by thalassemia, anemia of chronic disease, and sideroblastic anemia.
- Normocytic anemia may be caused by hemorrhage, hemolysis, bone marrow failure, anemia of chronic inflammation, or renal insufficiency.
- Macrocytic anemia is most commonly megaloblastic, indicating vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, but can also be caused by alcoholism, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and certain drugs.
Evaluation of Anemia
The kinetic approach to evaluating anemia focuses on the underlying mechanism, distinguishing among the production, destruction, and loss of red blood cells, and uses the reticulocyte count corrected against the degree of anemia (reticulocyte index [RI]) as a key indicator of red blood cell production capacity.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A comprehensive diagnosis of anemia involves measuring hemoglobin levels, hematocrit, and red blood cell count, as well as evaluating iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC), vitamin B12 and folate levels, and other tests to identify underlying causes. Treatment of anemia depends on the underlying cause, but may include dietary changes, iron supplements, vitamin B12 injections, folate supplements, or blood transfusions in severe cases. The goal of treatment is to increase red blood cell production and improve oxygen-carrying capacity, thereby reducing symptoms and improving quality of life. Regular blood tests and monitoring of hemoglobin levels are essential to diagnose and manage anemia effectively, as stated in the study 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Anemia Due to Chronic Kidney Disease PROCRIT is indicated for the treatment of anemia due to chronic kidney disease (CKD), including patients on dialysis and not on dialysis to decrease the need for red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Anemia Due to Zidovudine in Patients with HIV Infection PROCRIT is indicated for the treatment of anemia due to zidovudine administered at ≤ 4200 mg/week in patients with HIV Infection with endogenous serum erythropoietin levels of ≤ 500 mUnits/mL. Anemia Due to Chemotherapy in Patients with Cancer PROCRIT is indicated for the treatment of anemia in patients with non-myeloid malignancies where anemia is due to the effect of concomitant myelosuppressive chemotherapy, and upon initiation, there is a minimum of two additional months of planned chemotherapy.
Anemia is a condition characterized by a decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBCs) or the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. It can be caused by various factors, including:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD): Anemia is a common complication of CKD, where the kidneys are unable to produce enough erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates the production of RBCs.
- Zidovudine administration in HIV infection: Anemia can occur in patients with HIV infection who are taking zidovudine, a medication used to treat HIV.
- Chemotherapy in patients with cancer: Anemia can be a side effect of chemotherapy, particularly in patients with non-myeloid malignancies. 2
From the Research
Definition of Anemia
- Anemia is a condition characterized by a lack of enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body's tissues, making individuals feel tired and weak [(3,4)].
- It can be caused by various factors, including iron deficiency, genetic hemoglobin disorders, blood loss, infections, and other diseases 4.
Types of Anemia
- Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type, resulting from a lack of iron in the body [(3,4,5)].
- Microcytic anemia is the most common hematologic disorder in children, with iron deficiency as the most common cause 4.
- Normocytic anemia is classified by reticulocyte count and can reflect hemolysis or bone marrow suppression 4.
- Macrocytic anemia is less common in children and is typically a result of nutritional deficiencies or poor absorption of cobalamin or folate 4.
Treatment of Anemia
- Oral iron supplementation is the first line of treatment for iron-deficiency anemia, with ferrous sulfate being the most commonly prescribed drug [(3,4,5)].
- Other treatments include intravenous iron therapy, lactoferrin supplementation, and novel iron formulations such as ferric maltol or nanoparticle encapsulated sucrosomial iron [(3,6)].
- The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the anemia, the presence of gastrointestinal side effects, and the individual's overall health [(3,4,6)].