[Anemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Anemia is characterized by a reduced count of red blood cells and/or low hemoglobin content in blood. The article reviews basic information on pathogenesis, differential diagnosis and treatment of anemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Anemia in this case is characterized as anemia of a chronic disease. Strong evidence is presented on effective treatment of anemia in RA patients with tocilizumab both in combination with methotrexate and other basic anti-inflammatory drugs and monotherapy in a dose 8 mg/kg.