This is a mechanism of disease flowchart for anemia of chronic disease, covering the etiology, pathophysiology, and manifestations.

ADDITIONAL TAGS:
AOCD labs: ↓ Hb,
↓ Hct, ↑ ferritin, ↓ iron,
↓ iron sat, ↓ TIBC, ↓ retic
Medicine / iatrogenic
Infectious / microbial
Biochem / molecular bio
Inflammation / cell damage
Signs / symptoms
Labs / tests / imaging results
Anemia of chronic disease
Core concepts
Trauma
Neoplasm / cancer
Diet / nutrition
Genetics / hereditary
Hemodynamics
Pathophysiology
Etiology
Manifestations
Inflammation
↑ IL6 and other cytokines; ↑ hepcidin
↓ iron release from macrophages in the reticuloendothelial system
↓ iron intestinal absorption
↓ systemic levels of iron
↓ erythropoietin levels
↓ response to EPO
↓ RBC synthesis
↓ RBC survival and lifespan
↓ heme synthesis
(↓ binding of iron
to protoporphyrin)
↓ hemoglobin production
Pale conjunctiva
Pallor
↓ levels
of RBCs
Decreased oxygen carrying capacity and delivery of O2 to tissues
Fatigue
Lethargy
Dyspnea
Lung cancer
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Rheumatoid arthritis
Tuberculosis
Breast cancer
Lymphoma
Bacterial endocarditis
Osteomyelitis
HIV / AIDS
Lung abscess
Hepatitis B, C
Inflammatory bowel disease
Scleroderma, dermatomyositis
Sepsis
Trauma
“anemia of critical illness”
“anemia of inflammation”