Which of the following conditions is a common risk factor for normocytic anemia?

Normocytic anemia is characterized by red blood cells that are of normal size but are reduced in number. One of the most common risk factors for this condition is chronic disease, including inflammatory states such as Crohn's disease and cancer. In these situations, the body’s response to ongoing inflammation or malignancy can interfere with erythropoiesis (the production of red blood cells), leading to anemia despite normal-sized red blood cells.

Chronic conditions often result in a form of anemia known as anemia of chronic disease (ACD). This occurs because inflammatory cytokines released during chronic illnesses can suppress erythropoietin production and affect iron metabolism, making it less available for red blood cell production.

In contrast, acute infections might lead to transient changes in red blood cell production but are less likely to cause the persistent normocytic anemia seen with chronic conditions. Elderly age can predispose an individual to anemia due to multiple comorbidities, but it is not solely a risk factor in isolation without the influence of other chronic conditions. Nutritional deficiencies generally result in microcytic or macrocytic anemia, depending on the specific nutrient lacking, thus they do not typically contribute to normocytic anemia.

Therefore, chronic conditions, such