Overview of Anemia among Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients in Reproductive Age Women based on Reticulocyte Hemoglobin Equivalent (RET-He)
Level and Reticulocyte Count
Background: Anemia is a common manifestation found
among patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
(SLE). It may be caused by iron-deficiency, autoimmune
hemolytic, and chronic inflammation. Each anemia has
different therapy approachments. Without adequate
management, anemia may lead to poor prognosis.
By identifying the etiology of anemia, appropriate
management could be conducted. Reticulocyte
Hemoglobin Equivalent (RET-He) and reticulocyte count
test may distinguish anemia based on its etiology. This
study aimed to give scientific portrayed of the proportion
of anemia based on its etiology among patients with SLE
using RET-He and reticulocyte count.
Method: This study involved women diagnosed with SLE
underwent outpatient treatment in Rheumatology Clinic,
Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital during SeptemberOctober 2016. Data were collected from blood exam
using 35-parameters hematology Sysmex by calculating
levels of hemoglobin, RET-He, and reticulocyte count.
Results: Seventy four female patients were volunteered
as subject in this study with median of age was 29.5
(16-70) years old. Thirty four (46%) of 74 subjects were
suffering from anemia and 12 (35%) of them were
between 25-34 years old. Proportion of iron-deficiency
anemia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and chronic
inflammatory anemia were 14 ( 41%), 13 (38%), and 7
(21%), respectively.
Conclusion: Based on hemoglobin, RET-He, and
reticulocyte count, iron-deficiency anemia is the most
common anemia among patients with SLE in repoductive
age.
Keyword: Age, Anemia, Reticulocyte, RET-He, Systemic
Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)