A 70-year-old male with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presents with fatigue and pale skin. Lab tests show normocytic, normochromic anemia. What is the likely cause, and what are the next steps?
The patient's findings suggest anemia of chronic disease (also known as anemia of inflammation), which is common in individuals with chronic illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis. This condition is usually confirmed by excluding other causes of anemia and correlating the anemia with the chronic disease activity. Management typically involves treating the underlying disease, but in some cases, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents or iron supplementation may be used.