Assessment of anaemia

Anaemia is a haemoglobin (Hb) level two standard deviations below the mean for the age and sex of the patient. Reference ranges vary between laboratories. The World Health Organization defines anaemia as:[1]World Health Organization. Worldwide prevalence of anaemia 1993-2005. 2008 [internet publication]. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241596657

Hb <11 g/dL in children under 5 years and in pregnant women

Hb <11.5 g/dL in children aged 5 to 11 years

Hb <12 g/dL in children aged 12 to 14 years and in women (aged over 15 years)

Hb <13 g/dL in men (aged over 15 years)

The American Society of Hematology defines anaemia as <13.5 g/dL in men and <12 g/dL in women.

Anaemia is the most common haematological disorder seen in general medical practice. Risk factors include extremes of age, female sex, lactation, and pregnancy. The most common cause internationally is iron deficiency.[2]Camaschella C. Iron-deficiency anemia. N Engl J Med. 2015 May 7;372(19):1832-43. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25946282?tool=bestpractice.com

Anaemia can cause significant morbidity if left untreated, and is often the presenting sign of a more serious underlying condition.[3]Thein M, Ershler WB, Artz AS, et al. Diminished quality of life and physical function in community-dwelling elderly with anemia. Medicine (Baltimore). 2009 Mar;88(2):107-14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2893336 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19282701?tool=bestpractice.com The rate at which anaemia develops is often as important as the severity, as a rapid decline can overwhelm the compensatory mechanisms of the body.

Pathophysiology

Erythropoiesis takes place within the bone marrow and is controlled by the stromal network, cytokines, and the hormone erythropoietin. Through a series of differentiation steps, haematopoietic stem cells become reticulocytes (red blood cells [RBCs] with an intact ribosomal network).

Reticulocytes remain in the bone marrow for 3 days before being released into the circulation. After one further day in the circulation, reticulocytes lose their ribosomal network and become mature RBCs, which circulate for 110-120 days before being removed from the circulation by macrophages.

Anaemia develops when the rate of red blood cell production decreases and/or the rate of red blood cell loss increases.

Morphological classification of anaemia

The most clinically useful classification system is based on the mean corpuscular volume (MCV).[4]Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Chapter 149: Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine, 2-Volume Set. 26th ed. Elsevier; 2019.

• Microcytic (MCV <80 femtolitres [fL]). [Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Microcytic anaemiaFrom the collection of Dr Robert Zaiden; used with permission [Citation ends].

• Normocytic (MCV 80-100 femtolitres [fL]); subclassified according to the reticulocyte count as:

  • Hyperproliferative (reticulocyte count >2%): the proportion of circulating reticulocytes increases as part of a compensatory response to increased destruction or loss of RBCs. The cause is usually acute blood loss or haemolysis.

  • Hypoproliferative (reticulocyte count <2%): these are primarily disorders of decreased RBC production, and the proportion of circulating reticulocytes remains unchanged.

• Macrocytic (MCV >100 femtolitres [fL]); subclassified as:

  • Megaloblastic: a deficiency of DNA production or maturation resulting in the appearance of large immature RBCs (megaloblasts) and hypersegmented neutrophils in the circulation.

  • Non-megaloblastic: encompasses all other causes of macrocytic anaemia in which DNA synthesis is normal. Megaloblasts and hypersegmented neutrophils are absent.[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Megaloblastic macrocytic anaemiaFrom the collection of Dr Robert Zaiden; used with permission [Citation ends].[Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Classification of anaemia: MCV, mean corpuscular volume; fL, femtolitresCreated by the BMJ Knowledge Centre [Citation ends].