Epidemiology

Because anaemia of chronic disease (ACD) is a consequence of immune system activation attributable to many causes, epidemiological data specific to this entity are not available.

The prevalence of all types of anaemia in adults aged ≥65 years in the US is 10% to 11%.[9]​ One-third of these cases are believed to be due to chronic disorders, including chronic renal disease. Among patients about to initiate treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, anaemia prevalence is estimated to range from 8% to 29%.[10][11]

Anaemia affects approximately one-third of the world's population, including half a billion women aged 15 to 49 years and 269 million children (6 to 59 months).[12][13][14]​ Africa and South-East Asia are most affected.

In one large cohort study of patients hospitalised for critical illness, 41% had anaemia preceding hospitalisation, and 74% of patients without pre-hospitalisation anaemia developed incident anaemia.[15]​ The presence of anaemia in intensive care unit patients has been associated with worse outcomes, including increased lengths of stay and increased mortality.[16]

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