Anemia of Chronic Disorders

Anemia of chronic disorders (ACD) is a common type of anemia which needs expertise to diagnose and manage as it may present with microcytic hypochromic as well as normocytic normochromic anemia. It is important to differentiate ACD caused by inflammations, infections, autoimmune disorders, organ failures, and cancers which also disturb iron metabolism and erythropoiesis from other causes of microcytic or normocytic anemias. Also it requires analytical skills to differentiate ACD when it presents in combination with IDA. In this chapter, a clinical case scenario is presented followed by step-by-step evidence-based approach to utilize specialized and advanced tests to unravel final diagnosis of anemia of chronic disorders. A comprehensive description of pathophysiology of disease, role of hepcidin in the diagnosis of ACD, markers of acute and chronic inflammation and reasons of blunted response of erythropoietin in ACD are discussed in question -answer format. Salient points are summarized for quick revision. To gain expertise in this topic and enhance your diagnostic skills for effective planning of management, read this chapter on anemia of chronic disorders.