Immunoglobulin
Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (wAIHA)

Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (wAIHA) is an autoimmune condition in which red blood cells are destroyed prematurely, resulting in a decrease in the body's red blood cell count. wAIHA is referred to as “warm” because the IgG antibodies are active at normal body temperature which is not the case for other types of autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Short Bowel Syndrome with Intestinal Failure (SBS-IF)

Short bowel syndrome with intestinal failure is a condition where individuals cannot absorb nutrients properly because they lack part of their intestine due to portions being surgically removed, parts missing since birth, or portions damaged and unable to function properly.

Symptoms

Individuals with wAIHA may experience a variety of signs and symptoms including:

Fatigue and dizziness

Paleness of skin

Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing

Mild splenomegaly (enlargement/inflammation of the spleen)

Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)

Heart palpitations

Diagnosis Journey

Learn more about how people who are experiencing signs and symptoms of wAIHA can be diagnosed.

Process for diagnosis

Doctors will perform a comprehensive clinical evaluation and review the patient's medical history.
Blood tests are performed to confirm anemia, hemolysis (destruction of red blood cells), and the presence of antibodies on red blood cells (Coombs test).

If you feel that you are not receiving adequate treatment, don't be afraid to explore other physicians and specialists in order to get the care you need.

Specialists

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

Registered doctors

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

John Smith, MD

Gastroenterologist • Nashville, TN

Ongoing Research and Treatment Options

wAIHA is a rare disease that requires more effective treatment options. In order to find these new treatments for wAIHA further research is necessary.

Current Research Studies

Check out our featured study below. If the SApHiAre study is not right for you, there are approximately 6 wAIHA research studies that are actively recruiting participants. Search this site to find wAIHA research studies near you.

Visit Clinicaltrials.gov

Featured Study

SApHiAre Study

If you have wAIHA, you may be eligible to participate in the SApHiAre study, which aims to learn if an investigational drug may help anemia caused by wAIHA.

Treatments Options

Corticosteroids: Prednisone is often used as the first line of treatment for wAIHA to suppress the immune system and decrease the destruction of red blood cells.
Rituximab: Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody targeting certain white blood cells that produce antibodies that cause red blood cells to be destroyed prematurely.
Splenectomy: The spleen is the primary site of hemolysis (red blood cell destruction) in wAIHA. Sometimes, spleen removal may be necessary in very severe cases of wAIHA that have not responded to treatment.
Transfusions: In other severe cases, red blood cell transfusions could be required to maintain proper red blood cell values.

Resources

Find an online community of fellow wAIHA patients, caregivers, and advocates below as well as some other general resources!

Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia

A support group for those affected by warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

wAIHA Warriors

A forum hosted by wAIHA Warriors to help anyone impacted by wAIHA find support and connect with others.

Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA diagnosed)

A group for individuals diagnosed with AIHA to share and discuss treatments, symptoms, and personal experiences.

r/Anemic

A Reddit community group for people with anemia to find support or advice.

wAIHA Warriors

wAIHA Warriors is an organization that provides a community dedicated to education, research, and advocacy for people living with wAIHA as well as their family members and caregivers.

Global Autoimmune Institute

The Global Autoimmune Institute is an organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases through education, research, and awareness.

Autoimmune Association

The Autoimmune Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving advocacy, education, research, and awareness for autoimmune diseases.

The World of Rare Disease – wAIHA Warriors

The World of Rare Disease host speaks with two members of the advocacy organization, wAIHA Warriors, about wAIHA and how the group supports their community.

Warriors Webinar: How Chronic Medical Illness and Diagnosis Impacts Families and Couples

Watch the wAIHA Warriors webinar where a doctor discusses the challenges that chronic illness patients and their loved ones endure.

Applying for Disability Benefits with Autoimmune Diseases
‍Visit the Autoimmune Association website to learn more about how to apply for disability benefits.

Managing Mental Health with an Autoimmune Disease
Read the article from The Global Autoimmune Institute to learn more about how to manage your mental health with an autoimmune disease.

Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Market is Predicted to Exhibit Remarkable Growth by 2032, Analyzes DelveInsight

Leading Companies - Zenas BioPharma, Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis, Incyte, Rigel, Alpine Immune Sciences, Hutchison
‍Read this article to learn more about the changes that are expected in the warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia market due to the increased demand for developing combination therapies and anemia therapeutics in patient assistance programs.

2nd Annual wAIHA Warriors Patient Meeting

Visit the website below to learn more about the wAIHA Warriors annual meeting on March 1 - 3, 2024.

FAQs

Can wAIHA be cured?

Sometimes, wAIHA does not come back after treatment. In most cases, however, wAIHA is chronic. Even though there is no cure for wAIHA, there are treatment options available to help manage the condition.

What is the difference between warm and cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia?

The antibodies that attach to red blood cells in warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia are most active at normal body temperature, whereas, the antibodies that attach to red blood cells in cold autoimmune hemolytic anemia are most active at temperatures below normal body temperature.

Does wAIHA affect men or women more?

wAIHA impacts women slightly more than men.

Is wAIHA a rare disease?

Yes, wAIHA is a rare disease.

Where can I find support for my wAIHA?

Find different resources for support in the Resources section.

Does wAIHA affect a specific age?

wAIHA can affect people of any age, but it most commonly affects those between 50-70 years old.

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