Researchers in India studied 355 patients with low red blood cell counts to understand a specific type of anemia linked to long-term diseases. They found that about 31% of anemic patients had this condition, which happens when chronic illnesses like diabetes and kidney disease interfere with the body’s ability to make healthy blood cells. The condition was much more common in people over 80 years old (56.5%) compared to younger adults (13.9%). Most people with this type of anemia had mild cases, but it’s important to recognize because it’s connected to serious underlying health conditions that need treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How common is anemia caused by chronic diseases and inflammation in patients visiting a major hospital in India?
  • Who participated: 355 patients with low red blood cell counts at a large hospital in northern India. About 74% were women and 26% were men, ranging from young adults to elderly patients.
  • Key finding: About 1 in 3 anemic patients (30.7%) had anemia caused by chronic disease. Men were nearly twice as likely to have this type (48.4%) compared to women (24%). People aged 80+ were four times more likely to have it than people aged 18-39.
  • What it means for you: If you have a chronic condition like diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease and feel unusually tired, your doctor should check for this specific type of anemia. It’s treatable, but requires addressing the underlying disease. This is especially important to monitor as you get older.

The Research Details

This was a snapshot study where researchers looked at 355 patients with anemia at one hospital in India over a specific time period. They weren’t following people over time or comparing them to a control group—they were simply documenting how many patients had a particular type of anemia and what characteristics they shared.

Each patient received blood tests to measure red blood cells, iron levels, vitamin B12, and folic acid. Doctors also checked for hidden blood in stool and performed other tests based on each patient’s specific health situation. This thorough testing helped doctors figure out exactly what type of anemia each person had.

The researchers then organized the information to see patterns—like whether age, gender, or specific diseases made anemia more likely. This type of study is useful for understanding how common a health problem is in a specific population and what factors are connected to it.

This study matters because India didn’t have good data on how common this specific type of anemia is. Understanding the prevalence helps doctors know when to look for it and helps hospitals prepare resources. The findings also show that this type of anemia is strongly linked to age and specific chronic diseases, which helps doctors identify at-risk patients.

This study provides a good snapshot of one hospital’s patient population, but has some limitations. It only looked at patients who already had anemia, so we don’t know what percentage of all people with chronic diseases develop this condition. The results are from one hospital in India, so they may not apply to other regions or countries with different populations. The study is observational, meaning researchers watched and recorded information rather than testing a treatment, which is appropriate for understanding how common something is but doesn’t prove cause-and-effect relationships.

What the Results Show

Among 355 anemic patients studied, 109 patients (about 31%) had anemia of chronic disease—a condition where long-term illnesses prevent the body from making enough healthy red blood cells. This was the most common type of anemia found in the study.

Age made a huge difference. In the youngest group (ages 18-39), only 13.9% had this type of anemia. But in people aged 80 and older, 56.5% had it—more than four times higher. This suggests that as people age, chronic diseases accumulate and increase the risk of developing this specific anemia.

Gender also mattered. Nearly half of men with anemia (48.4%) had this chronic disease type, compared to only 24% of women. Researchers aren’t sure why men had higher rates, but this pattern was clear in the data.

Most people with this anemia had mild cases (66% of patients). Only 16% had severe anemia, meaning most people weren’t experiencing the worst symptoms, though they likely still felt tired and weak.

The most common underlying diseases in patients with this type of anemia were diabetes (44%), high blood pressure (39%), and chronic kidney disease (25%). Many patients had more than one of these conditions. Interestingly, 33% of patients had no identified underlying disease or cause, suggesting there may be other factors doctors don’t yet fully understand. Among those with mild anemia, 72 patients were identified. Moderate anemia affected 19 patients, and severe anemia affected 18 patients, showing that severity varied considerably.

This is one of the first studies to measure how common this type of anemia is specifically in India. Previous research from other countries suggested this was a significant problem in people with chronic diseases, but India lacked specific data. This study confirms that the pattern seen internationally—higher rates in older adults and those with chronic diseases—also applies to the Indian population studied.

The study only included patients who already had anemia, so we can’t calculate what percentage of all people with chronic diseases develop this condition. The research was done at one hospital, so results may not represent all of India or other countries. The study captured a moment in time rather than following people over months or years, so we don’t know how the condition progresses. The researchers couldn’t determine why men had higher rates or why some patients had no identifiable cause. Finally, the study is observational, so while it shows connections between diseases and anemia, it doesn’t prove that the diseases directly cause the anemia.

The Bottom Line

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or chronic kidney disease, ask your doctor about screening for this type of anemia, especially if you feel unusually tired or weak. If diagnosed, work with your doctor to manage your underlying chronic disease, as treating the main condition often helps improve the anemia. This is particularly important for adults over 60. These recommendations are based on observational data showing clear connections, though more research is needed to determine the best treatment approaches.

This research is most relevant for people with chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease—especially those over 60. Doctors should be aware of this type of anemia when evaluating tired patients with chronic conditions. Healthcare systems in India and similar regions should consider screening protocols. However, if you’re young and healthy with no chronic diseases, your risk is much lower, though fatigue should still be evaluated by a doctor.

If you’re diagnosed with this type of anemia, improvement depends on treating your underlying disease. Some people see improvement in weeks to months once their chronic condition is better managed. However, this isn’t a quick fix—managing chronic diseases takes ongoing effort and time. You should notice gradual improvements in energy levels as your condition improves, but patience is important.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your energy levels daily on a 1-10 scale and log any symptoms like shortness of breath or dizziness. Also record your chronic disease management activities (medications taken, blood sugar readings if diabetic, blood pressure checks) to see if better disease control correlates with improved energy.
  • Set reminders to take chronic disease medications consistently, as medication adherence directly impacts anemia risk. Log weekly check-ins about fatigue levels and share trends with your doctor during appointments. If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, use the app to track these metrics alongside energy levels.
  • Create a monthly trend report comparing your energy levels, disease management metrics, and any new symptoms. Share this with your healthcare provider to identify patterns. Set alerts for follow-up blood work appointments, as regular testing helps catch changes in anemia severity early.

This research describes how common a specific type of anemia is in one hospital population and should not be used for self-diagnosis. If you experience persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, or dizziness, consult your healthcare provider for proper evaluation and testing. This study shows associations between chronic diseases and anemia but doesn’t prove direct causation. Treatment decisions should always be made with your doctor based on your individual health situation, blood tests, and medical history. If you have a chronic disease, discuss anemia screening with your healthcare provider rather than attempting self-diagnosis or self-treatment.