What condition can result from chronic diseases affecting red blood cell production?

What condition can result from chronic diseases affecting red blood cell production?

• A. Anemia of chronic disease
• B. Iron-deficiency anemia
• C. Thalassemia
• D. Sickle cell anemia

Answer: (A)

Anemia of chronic disease is a condition that arises as a result of chronic inflammation, infection, or malignancy that affects the body’s ability to produce red blood cells effectively. In chronic diseases, the production of certain cytokines can interfere with iron metabolism and the life cycle of red blood cells. This can lead to reduced erythropoiesis—the process of producing new red blood cells—resulting in a decrease in red blood cell count and consequently anemia. In this type of anemia, the bone marrow response to erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, is blunted because of the presence of these chronic conditions. Additionally, iron is sequestered in macrophages, making it less available for hemoglobin synthesis, further contributing to the anemia. The other conditions listed represent different mechanisms of anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia is primarily due to inadequate iron intake or absorption, thalassemia is a genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin production, and sickle cell anemia results from a mutation in the hemoglobin gene leading to abnormal red blood cell shape and function. Each of these conditions has distinct etiologies, differentiating them from anemia of chronic disease, which is directly linked to the effects of underlying chronic illnesses on red blood

Anemia of chronic disease is a condition that arises as a result of chronic inflammation, infection, or malignancy that affects the body’s ability to produce red blood cells effectively. In chronic diseases, the production of certain cytokines can interfere with iron metabolism and the life cycle of red blood cells. This can lead to reduced erythropoiesis—the process of producing new red blood cells—resulting in a decrease in red blood cell count and consequently anemia.

In this type of anemia, the bone marrow response to erythropoietin, a hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, is blunted because of the presence of these chronic conditions. Additionally, iron is sequestered in macrophages, making it less available for hemoglobin synthesis, further contributing to the anemia.

The other conditions listed represent different mechanisms of anemia. Iron-deficiency anemia is primarily due to inadequate iron intake or absorption, thalassemia is a genetic disorder affecting hemoglobin production, and sickle cell anemia results from a mutation in the hemoglobin gene leading to abnormal red blood cell shape and function. Each of these conditions has distinct etiologies, differentiating them from anemia of chronic disease, which is directly linked to the effects of underlying chronic illnesses on red blood