Unusual presentation of pica in iron-deficiency anaemia associated with primary biliary cholangitis

Abstract

A 50-year-old woman presented with worsening fatigue and shortness of breath. For 2 months, she has been having increased craving for unpeeled lemons and was seen in clinic about a month prior to presentation at the emergency room. At that time, she was asymptomatic except for endorsing craving for lemons. Physical exam findings at presentation noted obesity, sinus tachycardia, pallor, mild scleral jaundice and no other stigmata for chronic liver disease. Her labs suggested iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA), elevated liver enzymes and positive antimitochondrial antibody titre. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan showed mild scarring. She was diagnosed with primary biliary cholangitis with portal hypertension complicated by oesophageal varices and IDA. Interventions included blood transfusion, oesophageal banding and treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid. Her craving for lemons, shortness of breath and fatigue resolved within 1 week. With ongoing outpatient follow-up and oesophageal variceal surveillance, she continues to do well.

The Association Between Pica and Iron-Deficiency Anemia: A Scoping Review

“…In a study by Onuorah et al, a patient presented with symptoms of pica associated with primary biliary cholangitis discovered by CT imaging. Her symptoms of craving lemon were assumed to be causing her esophageal varices and biliary cholangitis [ 17 ]. In another case study, two patients presented with pica after their Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.…”