Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) can not only be classified into warm-antibody AIHA (wAIHA) or cold-antibody AIHA, but it can also be classified as primary or secondary AIHA.
Primary (or idiopathic) AIHA occurs when the cause of autoantibody production is unknown. Around 35-50% of wAIHA cases are primary, and this type is frequently diagnosed in pediatric patients.
Secondary AIHA, on the other hand, occurs as a result of other conditions such as infections, other autoimmune diseases, or cancers. With wAIHA, the most common causes are lymphoproliferative cancers, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and connective tissue disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In children, the most common causes for secondary wAIHA are Evans syndrome, autoimmune diseases, and infections.
Working with the NIH's All of Us research program, the Autoimmune Registry has found the following common autoimmune comorbidities for patients with AIHA:
Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia:
Autoimmune thrombocytopenic purpura
Evans syndrome
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Diabetes mellitus type 1
Autoimmune thyroiditis
Cold Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (Cold Agglutinin Disease):
Restless leg syndrome
Enthesitis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Diabetes mellitus type 1
Sjogren's disease
Researchers are constantly looking for answers about how AIHA occurs and how to treat it. New studies are also being conducted to test new treatment options. If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to reply to this email.
To support the Autoimmune Registry, please share our information with others who have autoimmune diseases. Donations are also greatly appreciated!
