EPO and Iron deficiency anemia: Inflammation elevates hepcidin, which reduces serum iron and dietary iron absorption.12 Hepcidin is therefore important in the pathogenesis of the anaemia of chronic disease.13 Measurement of sTfR has emerged as a tool to distinguish between pure iron-deficiency anaemia and the anaemia of chronic disease.14 We also measured erythropoietin (EPO), C reactive protein (CRP) and functional markers—patient-reported outcome measures and walking distance.