The Correlation between Inflammatory Diseases determined by ESR and CRP levels and the Severity of Anemia in Pediatric Age-Groups MD, PhD Admir 1Lector,
1 Nake ,
1 Pistulli ,
Prof. Dr. Edmond
Artjola
2 Puja
Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences, University of Medicine, Tirana. 2Graduated in Laboratory Technician Program
Conclusions
Introduction Anemia is a common blood condition in which the hemoglobin and hematocrit concentrations decrease down to 2SD, considering the normal values for age and gender. The evaluation of RBC total number, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations, along with microscopic examination of the morphologic characteristics of RBC remains the basic diagnostic approaches for anemia. Anemia affects populations in both rich and poor countries. The most prevalent anemia after iron deficiency anemia is the anemia of chronic disease. Anemia of inflammation, also called anemia of chronic disease (ACD) is a type of anemia that is usually a symptom of chronic diseases. It is usually observed as a non-specific anemia in patients with infectious, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases, and may cause diagnostic challenges. Routine diagnostic tests are performed in these patients, but recently, new blood markers such as hepcidin antimicrobial peptide are used to evaluate the severity of the disease. The incidence of ACD is known to increase with age. Around 52% of hospitalized patients with blood malignancies, infections and chronic diseases complete the laboratory diagnostic criteria for ACD.
In cases of diseases that are accompanied with inflammation (bacterial or viral infections, malignancies, autoimmune diseases), the peripheral blood parameters such as: RBC count, Hb levels, RBC indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC), hematocrit, ERS, leucocytes count, leucocyte formula, Fe level, plasmatic proteins (CRP, fibrinogen) are expected to change. The time span and the degree of the inflammation which coexists with the underlying disease, determine the type of anemia which associates them. Usually, a long-term and strong inflammatory response affects the iron metabolism inducing microcytic hypochromic anemia.
The correlation between the level of inflammation and hemoglobin values 60
These results suggest that in this pediatric agegroup, the treatment should focus on the underlying disease in order to correct anemia.
50
40
30
20
10
0 Malignancies
Acute bacterial infection
Chronic bacterial infection
Viral infection
Autoimmune diseases
8
22
12
15
7
ESR
CRP
Hemoglobin
Acknowledgments Materials and methods In this study were involved 64 children aged between 0 and 18 years old, hospitalized in ‘’Pediatric Service’’ of the University Medical Center of Tirana “Mother Teresa”, during the month of May 2018. For hospitalized patients included in the study, we collected and examined their medical records and the spread of anemia regarding age, sex, and inflammatory diseases, these separated in chronic and acute bacterial infections, viral infections and malignancies. By doing so we got information about which of these diseases were accompanied by anemia and the affection of physiological factors (age, sex) in determining the prognosis and the severity of anemia. Patients included in the study were diagnosed with diseases associated with the inflammatory process. Complete blood count (CBC) tests and other tests that detect inflammation such as C-Reactive Protein and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (CRP and ESR), were determined in patients with hemoglobin (Hb) levels <11.5 g/dl. The CBC parameters are measured using Automated Cell Counter machines, ESR is measured using Westergren method, CRP test is based on the principle of the latex agglutination, and the colorimetric method is used for serum iron measurement. All the cases involved in this study were evaluated other examinations and laboratory tests, which were significant in the determination of the diagnosis.
Literature cited 1. Adamson, J. W. (2011). Chapter 7: Iron Deficiency and Other Hypoproliferative Anemias . In D. L. Longo, Harrison's Hematology and Oncology. 2. Bessman, J. D. (1990). Chapter 156 Reticulocytes. In Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston. 3. Eschbach, J., Egrie, J., Downing, M., Browne, J., & Med, J. A. (1987, January 8). Correction of the anemia of end-stage renal disease with recombinant human erythropoietin. Results of a combined phase I and II clinical trial. 4. Hastings, C. A., Torkildson, J. C., & Agrawal, A. K. (2012). Handbook of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, Second edition.
Statistical indicators
Hemoglobin
RBC
ESR
CRP
Average value
10.21
4.32
22.14
37.01
Variance
3.47
2.69
286.09
202.28
Standard Deviation
1.86
1.64
16.91
44.75
Coefficient of variation
18.26%
37.95%
76.41%
120.89%
Covariance
1.2
-7.45
-17.66
Coefficient of correlation
0.39
-0.24
-0.21
Coefficient of determination
15.35%
5. Pistulli, P., Kito, D. I., Face, D. M., & Nurçe, D. (2015) Sëmundjet e gjakut , Pediatria për studentët e Fakultetit të Shkencave Mjekësore Teknike,[p.266] 6. World Health Organization. (2015). The global prevalence of anaemia in 2011. Tennant, F. (2014) Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-Reactive Protein: Old But Useful Biomarkers for Pain Treatment. 7. Nake, A. Zikaj, L. Biokimi e aplikuar, 2017. Rëndësia e substancave me natyrë proteinike dhe përcaktimeve përkatëse laboratorike. [p.61-87] 8. Nemeth, E., Valore, E. V., Territo, M., & Blood, G. S. (2003). Hepcidin, a putative mediator of anemia of inflammation, is a type II acute-phase protein.
I would like to express my very great appreciation to Prof. Dr. Edmond Pistulli for his constructive suggestion during the planning and development of this medical research work. I am also particularly grateful to Dr. Admir Nake for his assistance with finding the proper medical literature for this research and for helping me with the statistical analysis of the study data. I would also like to extend my thanks to the "Diagnostic, Health Rehabilitation and Surgical Nurses, Obstetrics and Gynecology Nurses" Department and the medical staff of the ’Pediatric Service’’ of the University Medical Center of Tirana “Mother Teresa" for their help in offering me the resources in running the program. Finally, I wish to thank my parents for their support and encouragement throughout my study.