Anemia of chronic disorders: is red cell lifespan shortened?

Reduced red cell survival

Early studies (from 1966) suggested that red cell survival is shortened in ACD and more recent research using breath carbon monoxide levels to assess red cell survival confirms that red cell survival is modestly shortened in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and anemic hospital inpatients. This may be a contributory factor in ACD, but there have been no direct studies of the mechanisms involved. These might include increased erythrophagocytosis induced by inflammatory cytokines or oxidative damage to erythrocytes, causing reduced survival.