Pernicious Anemia: Fundamental and Practical Aspects in Diagnosis.
BACKGROUND
Pernicious Anemia (PA), the most common cause of cobalamin deficiency anemia worldwide, is an autoimmune disease of multifactorial etiologies involving complex environmental and immunological factors. Although it was first reported by Addison in 1849 with subsequent advances in understanding of pathogenesis and molecular biology, diagnosis of PA is still challenging for clinicians because of its complexity and diverse clinical presentations.


CONCLUSIONS
Herein, we provide an overview of PA, mainly focusing on its scientific and practical aspects in diagnosis. We also discuss the limitations of currently available diagnostic tools for the evaluation of cobalamin deficiency and PA.
The Brooklyn Hospital Center, Brooklyn, New York, United States.
Aung Myint
AM
Tun
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.
Kyaw Zin
KZ
Thein
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.
Zin War
ZW
Myint
The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
Thein Hlaing
TH
Oo
D000752:Anemia, Pernicious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D005757:Gastritis, Atrophic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000378:metabolism; D014806:Vitamin B 12 Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
D001323:Autoantibodies; D014805:Vitamin B 12
Pernicious anemia; cobalamia deficiency; diagnostic challenges; fundamental aspects; pathophysiology; practical approach