Pernicious Anemia
Pernicious anemia (PA) is an autoimmune disease that occurs as an end stage of autoimmune gastritis which results in the destruction of gastric mucosa (moist tissue that lines the stomach). It follows long-term autoimmune gastritis (inflammation of the mucosal lining of the stomach). The autoimmune process is limited to the body of the stomach and causes gastric atrophy (wasting of tissue).

The auto-reaction is against the gastric intrinsic factor (substance that makes the absorption of vitamin B-12 possible) and complement-fixing antibodies to gastric parietal cells (the binding site for vitamin B-12). Long-term destruction of the parietal cells of the gastric mucosa results in atrophy leading to the inability of the stomach to absorb and utilize vitamin B-12. Thus, PA is the end result of autoimmune gastritis. The gastric atrophy is caused by chronic inflammation from the autoimmune attack on the lining of the stomach and precedes the development of PA by many years. PA has been observed to cluster in families.

For more information on pernicious anemia or other autoimmune disorders, please click on the request information icon below.

Information provided at this web site is of a general nature and is not intended to take the place of a physician's adivice It is vital that persons diagnosed with, or suspected of having, an autoimmune disease consult with their physician or with the appropriate division at a major teaching hospital, to assure proper evaluation, treatment and interpretation of information contained on this site.


Back to Previous    Return to My Blood.
   Continue with other thoughts or return to homepage.