[Selected problems concerning anaemia in systemic lupus erythematosus patients]

Abstract

Haematological abnormalities are common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and may be manifested by anaemia of different pathogenesis. The objective of this article was to describe some data concerning autoimmune haemolytic anaemia, aplastic and megaloblastic ones accompanying SLE and also to present erythropoietin (EPO) function in the above mentioned diseases. In SLE many factors are produced which disturb the organism haematological balance both on the peripheral level and in the bone marrow. It is assumed that the autoantibodies produced in SLE are the main cause of anaemia. However it should be considered that quantitative changes in the number of erythrocytes observed in this disease are also caused by chronic inflammatory condition, which as the element of autoimmune disease impairs the endocrine function of the kidneys in EPO production. It influences bone marrow, iron metabolism and then haemopoiesis. Apart from humoral factors the role of mechanisms connected with immune cellular response is also considered.