Anemia of chronic disease

Anemia is one of the consistent findings with inflammation. Whether the anemia is helpful or harmful in the general context of the illness is unclear. It may be recognized by demonstration of iron-deficient erythropoiesis due to an internal block in iron supply. Only when its severity is disproportionate to the severity of the inflammatory process does it merit extensive diagnostic workup. Ordinarily, no treatment of the anemia is indicated.