Annually, innumerable studies approach varying aspects regarding the epidemiology, etiology, physiopathology, diagnosis and therapy of the various types of anemia. With variable objectives and results that promote a continuous process to better characterize the physiopathologic and therapeutic aspects related to red blood cell disorders, these studies are contributing to a better quality of life for the patients and to the elucidation of the impact that such hematological changes exert on the whole body metabolism. In this context, the aim of this article is to contemplate the lipid profile in anemic patients, which has not been well explored and reported in scientific literature. This article will focus on changes of the lipid profile in association with sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, as well as on the implication that the presenting chronic hemolytic state in these diseases exert on the cholesterol metabolism.
Cholesterol; anemia; thalassemia
