Pica: its frequency and significance in patients with iron-deficiency anemia due to chronic gastrointestinal blood loss.
OBJECTIVE
Pica, particularly ice-eating (pagophagia), is a recognized symptom of iron deficiency. The value of pica as a clue to the etiology of blood loss has never been studied.


METHODS
Fifty-five unselected patients with iron-deficiency anemia due to gastrointestinal blood loss evaluated by a gastroenterology referral service at a city hospital.


RESULTS
The patients' mean hematocrit was 26 +/- 15% (SD). Thirty two (58%) had pica, and in 28 (88%) it manifested as pagophagia. Pica was present significantly more often in women (19/32, 68%) than in men (9/23, 39%, p less than 0.05). Pica occurred less frequently in patients with malignancy (2/9 vs. 30/46), but this difference was not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Pica, a frequent symptom in patients with iron-deficiency anemia due to gastrointestinal blood loss, particularly women, is not of value in predicting the cause of bleeding.
Rector
W G
WG
Department of Medicine, Denver General Hospital, Colorado 80204-4507.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010842:Pica / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors