Final answer:
Anemia of chronic disease is typically characterized by a normocytic anemia in its early stages, with the red blood cells being of normal size but reduced in number. Over time, it may become hypochromic with pale red blood cells due to reduced hemoglobin content.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anemia of chronic disease is a common form of anemia seen in patients with chronic infections, inflammatory diseases, or malignancies. The early stages of this condition are usually characterized by a normocytic anemia, which means that the mean corpuscle volume (MCV) remains within the normal range, but the total number of red blood cells (RBCs) is decreased. This type of anemia often arises from a reduced production of erythropoietin (EPO) due to the underlying chronic disease and a resulting ineffective production of RBCs.
In addition to a normocytic MCV, the anemia may eventually become hypochromic as well, which refers to red blood cells that have reduced hemoglobin content and are paler than normal. Clinicians use a combination of the kinetic approach, which evaluates the production and removal of RBCs, and the morphological approach, which assesses the size and shape of RBCs using MCV and reticulocyte counts, to diagnose and understand the type of anemia present.
Understanding the characteristics of anemia of chronic disease is crucial for proper management and treatment. Anemia can lead to reduced oxygen delivery to body tissues, causing symptoms such as fatigue, lethargy, shortness of breath, and an increased risk for infection.