Anemia and Rheumatoid Arthritis

The causes of anemia in Rheumatoid arthritis :

1. Iron utilization is impaired- microcytic anaemia

2. Reduced erythropoietin levels- normochromic

3. Decreased folate due to chronic disease- macrocytic

4. Hemolytic phenomenon: felty syndrome and sulphasalazine

5. Drug associated anemia :
NSAID induced bleeding and secondary iron deficiency.
Bone marrow suppression from drug therapy i.e.
gold / penicillamine / Methotrexate.

6. Intercurrent infection