Anemia results in reduced oxygen delivery which may cause in impairment to the individual.
Symptoms of anemia:
(1) dyspnea on exertion
(2) dizziness or lightheadedness
(3) throbbing headache
(4) palpitations
(5) easy fatigability
(6) increased symptoms of pre-existing vascular disease, such as claudication or angina pectoris
Signs of anemia:
(1) skin pallor
(2) tachycardia
(3) systolic ejection murmur
(4) possible heart failure with peripheral edema
The severity of the signs and symptoms due to anemia may be affected by:
(1) the rate of onset, with acute onset usually more symptomatic than chronic, due to development of compensatory responses
(2) the hemoglobin level
(3) a patient's physiologic reserve and available compensatory responses.
Transfusion requirement:
(1) The duration of benefit of from transfusion is typically 6-8 weeks.
(2) A need for frequent transfusion may indicate hemolysis of transfused blood.
Symptoms |
Hemoglobin Level before Transfusion |
Need for Transfusion |
Impairment in percent |
none |
10-12 g/dL |
none |
0 - 10% |
minimal |
8 - 10 g/dL |
none |
11 - 30% |
moderate to marked |
5 - 8 g/dL |
2-3 units every 4-6 weeks |
31 - 70% |
moderate to marked |
5 - 8 g/dL |
2-3 units every 2 weeks |
71 - 100% |
Purpose: To determine the degree of impairment due to the reduced oxygen delivery associated with anemia.
Specialty: Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Hematology Oncology
Objective: severity, prognosis, stage, disability and performance
ICD-10: D50-D53, D55-D59, D60-D64,