Year: 2023
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Introduction: Pica is one of the symptoms of iron deficiency and a pathology that exacerbates the condition.In this study, we sought to identify the biomarkers associated with pica in iron-deficient patients. Materials and Methods:The study included female iron deficient clinic applicants from April 2021 to August 2022.The main iron deficit inclusion criterion was ferritin <30 ug/L.Patients' demographics, hemograms, iron parameters, c-reactive protein levels, and presence and types of pica were recorded.Independent sample tests and logistic regression tests were used to analyze the data.Results: There were a total of 381 patients who met the study's eligibility requirements (mean age 38.67+10.10).Fifty-three (13.9%) patients described pica.One hundred four of 381 patients (27.3%) showed non-anemic iron deficiency, while 277 (72.7%) had anemia.Pica was found in 9 (8.7%) non-anemic iron deficient individuals and 44 (15.9%) iron deficiency anemia patients.Pica subtypes geophagia (39.6%) and pagophagia (28.2%) were most common.Among the laboratory values, unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC), total iron binding capacity (TIBC) and transferrin saturation differed significantly between groups with and without pica.UIBC and TIBC were significant again with univariate logistic regression.Conclusion: Elevated UIBC and TIBC values and decreased transferrin saturation appear to be associated with pica in irondeficient patients.
Source: Van Medical Journal
Authors: Muhammet Özbilen, Samet Yeşil, Esra Demir
Institution: Ordu University
Language: English
Subfield: Hematology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4387831433