What is Pernicious anemia?

What is Pernicious anemia?

• Pernicious anemia: A rare blood disorder where the body is unable to utilize vitamin B12 properly in order to make red blood cells.
• Pernicious anemia: anemia due to poor intestinal absorption of vitamin B12 caused by defective production of intrinsic factor (a carrier protein) by the gastric mucosa.
  Source - Diseases Database
• Pernicious anemia: a chronic progressive anemia of older adults; thought to result from a lack of intrinsic factor (a substance secreted by the stomach that is responsible for the absorption of vitamin B12).
  Source - WordNet 2.1

Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Pernicious anemia as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet

Name and Aliases of Pernicious anemia

Main name of condition: Pernicious anemia

Biermer disease

Pernicious anaemia, Biermer's anaemia Source - Diseases Database

Pernicious anaemia, Malignant anemia, Malignant anaemia
Source - WordNet 2.1

Types of Pernicious anemia:

Parent types of Pernicious anemia: Autoimmune diseases, Anemia, Blood conditions

Organs Affected by Pernicious anemia:

blood

How many people get Pernicious anemia?

Prevalance of Pernicious anemia: 399,455 people in the USA 1996 ¹
Prevalance Rate of Pernicious anemia: approx 1 in 680 or 0.15% or 399,454 people in USA [about data]

Who gets Pernicious anemia?

Patient Profile for Pernicious anemia: Typically older adults over 50

How serious is Pernicious anemia?

Complications of Pernicious anemia: see complications of Pernicious anemia

What causes Pernicious anemia?

Cause of Pernicious anemia: Malabsorption of Vitamin B12 (Vitamin B12 deficiency) resulting from an autoimmune digestive disorder.
Class of Condition for Pernicious anemia: autoimmune
Causes of Pernicious anemia: see causes of Pernicious anemia

Can anyone else get Pernicious anemia?

Contagion of autoimmunity: generally not; see details in contagion of autoimmune diseases.

How is it treated?

Treatments for Pernicious anemia: see treatments for Pernicious anemia