nutrients Communication Anemia of Chronic Diseases: Wider Diagnostics—Better Treatment? Michał Wici ´nski 1, Grzegorz Liczner 1, Karol Cadelski 1, Tadeusz Kołnierzak 1, Magdalena Nowaczewska 2 and Bartosz Malinowski 1,* 1 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, M. Curie 9, 85-090 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
[email protected] (M.W.);
[email protected] (G.L.);
[email protected] (K.C.);
[email protected] (T.K.) 2 Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and Laryngological Oncology, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University, M. Curie 9, 85-090 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
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[email protected] Received: 24 April 2020; Accepted: 10 June 2020; Published: 16 June 2020 Abstract: Anemia of chronic diseases is a condition that accompanies a specific underlying disease, in which there is a decrease in hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocyte counts due to a complex process, usually initiated by cellular immunity mechanisms and pro-inflammatory cytokines and hepcidin. This is the second most common type of anemia after iron deficiency anemia in the world. Its severity generally correlates with the severity of the underlying disease. This disease most often coexists with chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and kidney failure. Before starting treatment, one should undertake in-depth diagnostics, which includes not only assessment of complete blood count and biochemical parameters, but also severity of the underlying disease. The differential diagnosis of anemia of chronic diseases is primarily based on the exclusion of other types of anemia, in particular iron deficiency. The main features of anemia of chronic diseases include mild to moderate lowering of hemoglobin level, decreased percentage of reticulocyte count, low iron and transferrin concentration, but increased ferritin.